The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Platoon Sergeant Earnest C. Farley, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, on 20 October 1970. On that date Sergeant Farley was serving as a bay commander on the live hand grenade range, supervising and assisting trainees in the throwing of live grenades. At approximately 1650 hours a trainee in the bay with Sergeant Farley suddenly dropped the grenade after he pulled the pin and froze in position. Sergeant Farley instantly and unhesitatingly, without personal regard for his own safety, grasped the trainee by his fatigues and physically threw them over the safety wall. As Sergeant Farley was clearing the safety wall himself, the grenade exploded, with shrapnel hitting the heel of his boot. It was only because of the quick thinking and courageous action of Sergeant Farley that the training was uninjured. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellow man, in the dedication of his service to his country, Platoon Sergeant Earnest C. Farley has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.