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 First Class Anthony M. Alteri (ASN: 6974655), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with Company E, 11th Engineers, in rescuing two civilians from drowning in Gatun Lake, Panama Canal Zone, on 17 March 1940. When a man and woman were thrown into the rough, choppy waters by the capsizing of the sailboat in which they were riding, a Government launch with Private First Class Alteri’s board sped to their rescue. Arriving at the scene of the accident and observing that the couple were in grave danger of drowning, the man clinging in distress to the mast of the capsized boat and with great difficulty supporting the now unconscious woman, Private First Class Alteri, with utter disregard of his personal safety and despite the danger of being caught between the launch and sailboat as they drifted together in the heavy sea and high wind, dived overboard, swam to the overturned sailboat, and removed first the unconscious woman and then the man to the launch, thereby saving their lives. The initiative and courage displayed by Private First Class Alteri on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.