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 Staff Sergeant Guillermo Galarza Nunez, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in New York on 3 February 1968. On that date, Staff Sergeant Nunez, while on ordinary leave, discovered a fire raging in an apartment building at 149 Broome Street, Manhattan. Reacting swiftly, he alerted the Fire Department and, at the voluntary risk of his own life, remained in the burning structure to assist panic stricken occupants. Sergeant Nunez took immediate control by cutting off the sources of draft and succeeded in calming the hysterical occupants. He quickly organize the residents into an orderly group and saved the lives of 12 adults and 10 children in the building by leading them to safety. Additionally, he worked laboriously in assisting civil police and members of the Fire Department by evacuating occupants of the adjacent buildings threatened by the burning structure and played a prominent role in settling homeless survivors in temporary shelter. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellow man, in the dedication of his service to his country, Staff Sergeant Guillermo Galarza Nunez has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.