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 Sergeant First Class James A. Leavor, United States Army, for heroic performance on 10 December 1988, by entering a burning and smoke filled apartment building without any regard for his own personal safety. Once inside, Sergeant First Class Leavor heard the screams of a young girl coming from one of the smoke filled rooms. He proceeded to locate the screaming three year old victim and guided her to safety. Upon returning to the building, Sergeant First Class Leavor saw a man on the second floor struggling to escape with a baby. Sergeant First Class Leavor called to the man, instructing him to wrap the baby in blankets and to drop her to him. The man complied and the baby was rescued and brought to safety by Sergeant First Class Leavor.