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 Richard Gieras (ASN: 6731438), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with Company C, 2d Infantry, in saving two civilians from drowning in Lake Michigan, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, at about 3:00 p.m., 20 August 1938. On seeing a small sailboat occupied by two men capsize about a mile off shore during a sudden squall, Private First Class Gieras and another enlisted man, with utter disregard of their personal safety, quickly launched a small lifeboat, and despite the blinding rain, driving wind, high waves, and the unseaworthy condition of their boat immediately went to the assistance of the men who were desperately clinging to the overturned craft. On reaching the scene of the accident, Private First Class Gieras and his companion took the exhausted civilians into their small lifeboat, and exercising the utmost skill in preventing the now dangerously overloaded boat from being capsized or swamped in the rough sea successfully brought them to shore, thereby saving their lives. The heroism displayed by Private First Class Gieras on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.