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 Donald A. Foster (ASN: 6920666), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with Detachment, U.S. Army Mine Planter “William M. Graham”, in rescuing an enlisted man from drowning in Limon Bay, Republic of Panama at 11:40 p.m., 1 July 1939. When an enlisted man fell overboard from an army vessel as the ship was streaming about a mile from land across a deep, shark-infested tropical bay, Private First Class Foster, with utter disregard of his personal safety, immediately dove over board and went to his assistance. Despite the darkness of the night and the danger of being struck by the propellers of the vessel. Private First Class Foster managed to reach the struggling man and support him above the surface of the water until, the ship’s searchlight having picked up his position. The vessel was brought about and the crew assisted him in getting the drowning man aboard, thereby saving his life. The immediate response to the emergency without thought of the danger to his own life displayed by Private First Class Foster on this occasion reflects the highest traditions of the United States Army.