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 First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Harry C. Dayton, United States Army, for heroism, not involving actual conflict with an enemy, displayed while serving with the 5th Field Artillery, at Fort Bragg, NC on 4 June 1931. During the firing of a 155-mm howitzer by Batter A, 5th Field Artillery, the muzzle blast ignited the camouflage net which in turn ignited the grass and brush in the immediate vicinity of the howitzer. Lieutenant Dayton, battery executive, and the members of the gun squad, with utter disregard of the danger of an explosion from shells which were on a burning paulin in the midst of the flames, rushed from the gun pit and, despite the excruciating heat, succeeded in removing the exposed explosives to a place of safety. Thereupon they extinguished the flames and brought a dangerous fire under control. The high degree of heroism displayed by Lieutenant Dayton on this occasion contributed to saving of Government property and possibly of human life. The splendid example set by him served as an additional incentive to the man and inspired them to greater efforts.