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 Private First Class Donald E. Christensen (ASN: US-56112054), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States. Private Christensen, a member of Company B, 712th Transportation Railway Operating Battalion, distinguished himself by heroic achievement in the vicinity of Changyang-ni, Korea. Early on the morning of 6 August 1952, a box car filled with drums of gasoline became derailed and burst into flames, threatening a second derailed car nest to it. Realizing that a conflagration would result if the second car, which also carried petroleum products, were to catch fire, Private Christensen, with three comrades, moved to the scene of the blaze in an effort to re-rail the car and move it to a position of safety. Disregarding the danger resulting from the shower of burning gasoline, Private Christensen remained in the area and assisted in replacing the car on the rails and in moving it from danger. The heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Private Christensen on this occasion were instrumental in saving vast quantities of valuable government property and reflect great credit on himself and the military service.