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 Samuel Mayes Baker (ASN: R-1024142), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with Company F, 25th Infantry, during a fire in the truck greasing building of a construction company at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, 16 January 1941. When the post fire engine arrives on the scene of the fire, the building, one dump truck, and several drums of lubricating oil were burning rapidly. During the fire, efforts were made by civilians employed by the company to remove hot drums of oil from the then almost completely burned building until one drum exploded and several men were burned. Sergeant Baker, assistant fire marshal at the post, having escaped injury during the explosion, with utter disregard of his own personal safety, kept fire hose on the remaining drums which were then bulging with hot oil. Due to the low pressure it was necessary for him to approach within 15 feet of the oil drums in his attempt to cool the unexploded drums, and by his untiring efforts assisted in bringing a dangerous fire under control. The high degree of heroism displayed by Sergeant Baker on this occasion contributed to the saving of Government property and possibly human life, and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.