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 Fifth Grade Joseph J. Baratta (ASN: 33957087), United States Army, for heroism while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1204th Service Command Service Unit, Prisoner of War Camp, Fort Niagara, New York, at Fort Niagara on the night of 31 August – 1 September 1944. An enlisted man armed with a loaded carbine threatened to shoot several other enlisted men and an officer. Technician Fifth Grade Baratta unhesitatingly and at the risk of his life grappled with the man and disarmed him.