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 Staff Sergeant Joseph F. Murray (ASN: 6073906), United States Army Air Corps, for heroism, not involving actual conflict with an enemy, displayed while serving with 1st Balloon Squadron, near Cogar, Oklahoma on 10 July 1936. When a landing was being attempted after a free balloon flight from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the balloon exploded and burned. In the explosion Staff Sergeant Murray was trapped in the basked and severely burned. After being extricated from the basket, he displayed exceptional courage and heroism when, suffering untold pain from his own injuries, he assisted in extinguishing the flames from the clothing and parachute worn by another passenger.