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 John M. Gnagey, Jr. (ASN: 6910512), United States Army Air Corps, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with Base Headquarters and 3d Air Base Squadron, GHQ Air Force, in rescuing a child from drowning in the Illinois River near Havana, Illinois, on 12 August 1938. When two small children, pulled by a current into deep water, stepped into a depression in the river bed and disappeared below the surface, their mother, watching from the shore, called loudly for help. On hearing her cries, Private Gnagey ran several hundred feet to the river bank, and with utter disregard of his personal safety plunged into the river and swam about 60 feet to the assistance of one of the children, a 5-year-old boy, who was struggling in the water on the point of drowning. Despite the struggles of the child which greatly hampered his actions, Private Gnagey, by swimming on his back and holding the child in his arms, brought him to safety, thereby saving his life. The heroism displayed by Private Gnagey on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.