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 Mekkers (ASN: 6560141), United States Army Air Corps, for heroism, not involving actual conflict with an enemy, displayed while serving with 88th Reconnaissance Squadron, during a night reconnaissance flight from Hamilton Field, California to San Jose, California on 21 September 1936. When the pilot was unable to release and extend the landing gear of the airplane, he called for assistance. Private Mekkers immediately left his cockpit in the rear of the airplane and succeeded in working his way over the fuselage to the pilot’s cockpit, released the control valve and thus allowed the pilot to extend the landing gear, thereby saving the airplane from damage and possible injury to the three occupants.