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 James Burgess (ASN: 6705263), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while attempting to rescue two-boys from drowning in Long Island Sound, near Fort Slocum, New York, on the evening of 6 April 1938. During a blinding snowstorm a small boat in which the boys were riding capsized in the rough icy water about 150 yards from shore, placing them in imminent danger of drowning. Rescue parties were quickly organized and put out to the scene of the accident in two small unseaworthy boats without oarlocks. Sergeant Burgess and a civilian companion embarked in the first boat, paddled to the scene of the accident and after much difficulty due to the freezing temperature, the driving snow, and the heavy sea, rescued one of the boys and brought him safely to shore. Before returning to shore, Sergeant Burgess and his civilian companion endeavored to locate the second boy who had disappeared from sight, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The heroic conduct displayed by Sergeant Burgess reflects great credit upon himself and the Army.