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 Ralph Israel (ASN: 20536832), United States Army, for heroism while serving with the 458th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion near Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 11 May 1944. When an airplane on a parachute dropping mission crashed and burned shortly after the take-off, Sergeant Israel, a paratrooper, was thrown clear and three others managed to extricate themselves. The remainder of the crew and passengers were in danger of being burned to death. Sergeant Israel, without regard for his personal safety, entered the burning airplane and removed all of the personnel to a place of safety.