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 Charles E. Devaney (ASN: US-56501361), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy on 2 April 1968, while assigned to Troop D, 17th Cavalry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light), in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, his platoon was directed to proceed to a village five miles south of Saigon to investigate the crash of an F-100 jet fighter aircraft. Upon arrival at the crash site where numerous buildings were on fire, excited residents pointed to a pile of rubble near a burning building under which a villager was trapped. Disregarding the personal danger, he and three other soldiers braved the intense heat and began digging with their hands to free the villager from the fallen debris. Even in the flaming wreckage, he continued his efforts until the trapped man was rescued. Private First Class Devaney’s personal bravery and high regard for the life of a fellow man were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.