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 Technician Fourth Grade Clifford N. Baptie (ASN: 35007748), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving with the Medical Detachment of the 37th Infantry Division, in action at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 16 January 1945. While a companion was welding a piece of iron at the rear of his maintenance truck the acetylene and oxygen tanks within the truck caught fire. Despite the fact that the tanks were on the verge of explosion, Technician Fourth Grade Baptie held a water hose at close proximity to the blaze while his comrade tightened the hose connections, shut off the gases, and stopped the fire before it destroyed the vehicle and its valuable equipment. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Technician Fourth Grade Baptie reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.