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 Lester V. Beeler (ASN: 34501474), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy in France on 3 December 1944, while serving with the 80th Infantry Division. Early in the morning of 3 December a gasoline fire broke out in the kitchen stove of the company to which Technician Fifth Grade Beeler was assigned. Technician Fifth Grade Beeler, a member of the kitchen crew was asleep at the time of the outbreak of the fire. The men then on duty were unable to check the fire and called for help. The cries aroused Technician Fifth Grade Beeler and he came from the building in which he was sleeping. Realizing the danger of the fire to surrounding buildings, he unhesitatingly climbed into the cab of the blazing kitchen truck and drove to a place where it no longer was a menace to life and property. At the time, exploding small arms ammunition was a constant source of danger to all in the proximity of the truck. His cool courage and alert conduct reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.