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 James H. Dalton (ASN: 6837257), United States Army, for heroism, not involving actual conflict with an enemy, off the coast of Salvador, Central America, 2 June 1931. When an insane patient had jumped into the Pacific Ocean from the hospital deck of the United States Army Transport Cambrai, Private Dalton, who was a member of the guard but not on duty at the time, disregarded personal danger and dived overboard in an attempt to save the drowning patient. He managed to get hold of the garments of the sinking body but the suction of the propeller pulled him away. Although Private Dalton was unsuccessful in rescuing the patient, the attempt to do so under such unfavorable circumstances and at the risk of his own life characterizes it as an act of outstanding heroism.