The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Airman’s Medal to Captain Walter A. Upham, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life on Mad River in Clark County, Ohio, on 16 August 1980. On that date, Captain Upham, while on a canoeing excursion, performed heroic action thereby saving the lives of two fellow human beings. Captain Upham observed a man being drawn underwater for a substantial period of time, who, when he surfaced, was visibly struggling and choking on water. Captain Upham dove into the current to rescue the man who was now floating uncontrollably towards a stand of fallen trees. Captain Upham brought the man to shore and, while assuring his well-being, observed that a woman had become trapped underwater between two canoes which were being held against a fallen tree by the strong current. Seeing this, Captain Upham, with no regard for his own life, dove into the river and allowed himself to be dashed into the capsized canoe and the tree. He grasped one of the canoes and pulled on it until the woman was set free. Several other canoes then slammed into Captain Upham, and he was knocked under the tree receiving deep bruises to his back and shoulders. He could have easily been rendered unconscious by one of the canoes and drowned. The woman owes her life to Captain Upham as she would have been injured and very likely would have died from the other canoes smashing into her. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellowman, Captain Upham has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.