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 Colonel (Air Corps) Horace V. Shelmire (ASN: 0-104069), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism as a member of the 303d Air Service Group, TWENTIETH Air Force, on one of the Mariana Islands from 11 August 1944 to 2 January 1945. During this time Colonel Shelmire personally organized and led a volunteer bomb disposal squad in a diligent search for booby traps and abandoned explosives left behind by the enemy. On one occasion while supervising this search, Colonel Shelmire discovered more than one hundred bottles of nitroglycerine. Rather than permit his untrained personnel to risk their lives, he personally directed the removal and destruction of this explosive. His devoted leadership and his willingness to risk his life for the safety of his men reflect great credit on himself and the Army Air Forces.