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 Fritz O. Gaebler (ASN: 6114149), United States Army, for heroism, not involving actual conflict with an enemy, displayed while serving with Company D, 5th Infantry Regiment, on the night of 30 June 1933 at Fort Preble, Maine, in going to the rescue of three persons when their rowboat capsized. Responding to a call for help from three men who had been thrown into the water from a capsized rowboat, Private Gaebler at the risk of his life jumped into the waters of the bay and swam to their rescue. Being seized with cramps, he was obliged to return to the shore where he secured a plank and, using it for support, again swam to the rescue. Before he could reach the capsized boat the men in the water were picked up and brought to shore in a motor boat. Although Private Gaebler did not actually effect the rescue of the party in distress, his brave attempt in the cold, rough waters of Portland Harbor in the darkness of night characterizes it as an act of heroism.