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 Vincent L. Packer (ASN: 6142011), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with Battery E, 25th Field Artillery, in the rescue of four persons from drowning in the Atlantic Ocean off Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on 18 February 1940. Attracted by cries for help from two Puerto Rican boys who were being carried to sea by a strong undertow, Private First Class Packer and a number of other enlisted men plunged into the ocean and went to their assistance. Observing that two of the enlisted men who had entered the water with him had become exhausted and were in grave danger of being drowned, Private First Class Packer, with complete disregard of his personal safety, fought his way to them through the high breakers and towed first one and then the other to safety, thereby saving their lives. Then, although by this time almost completely exhausted, Private First Class Packer voluntarily reentered the turbulent surf, swam more than 100 yards to the two drowning boys, and fighting his way back with great difficulty against the strong undertow succeeded in bringing them both to shore, thereby saving their lives. The outstanding heroism displayed by Private First Class Packer on this occasion is characteristic of that splendid standard upon which the traditions of our Military Establishment are founded and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.