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 Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Charles E. Stillwagon, Jr. (ASN: 0-1185257), United States Army, for heroism on the San Antonio River, near Merle Ranch, Hunter Liggett Military Reservation, on 29 February 1944. A field artillery battalion was fording the river, which was in flash flood, waist deep and very swift, using a high line to assist in crossing. A soldier in full equipment, upon reaching midstream, fell, lost his hold on the life line, and was swept downstream over boulders and through brush. Lieutenant Stillwagon, without regard for personal safety and at the risk of his life, plunged into the stream, made his way to the soldier, and held his head above water. Seizing the end of a rope thrown to him from the bank, he tied it around the soldier and assisted him to shore using the rope as a lifeline.