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 First Sergeant Robert B. Leffingwell (ASN: R-347157), United States Army, for heroism, not involving actual conflict with an enemy, displayed while serving with 19th Ordnance Company, during a fire at Virginia Beach, Virginia on 27 January 1931. When the gasoline in an open container on a Government truck caught fire, Sergeant Leffingwell, with utter disregard of his own personal danger, climbed into the truck which was enveloped in a mass of flames in an attempt to subdue the fire until other trucks in the immediate vicinity could be moved to a place of safety, and also to salvage the Government stores and arms that were in the burning truck. While engaged in this work Sergeant Leffingwell was repeatedly warned of an imminent explosion of the gasoline tank, but ignored such warnings and continued his efforts until overcome by fumes and heat.