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 Private Lewellyn C. Alter, Jr. (ASN: 6997343), United States Army Air Corps, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with 27th Air Base Squadron, 28th Air Base Group, in attempting to rescue an officer from an airplane that had crashed in the Back River at Langley Field, Virginia, 6 March 1941. While Private Alter and another enlisted man were working near the river, an airplane piloted by an officer crashed in the water approximately 200 yards from shore. Realizing that serious injuries had undoubtedly befallen the pilot, Private Alter and his comrade, with complete disregard of their own safety, attempted to swim to the assistance of the injured pilot. When about halfway between the shore and the crashed airplane, due to the icy condition of the water Private Alter and his companion were seized with cramps, as a result of which they had difficulty in keeping afloat until help arrived to bring them safely to shore. Although Private Alter and his companion were unsuccessful in rescuing the pilot, their attempt to do so under such adverse circumstances characterizes it as an act of outstanding heroism.