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 Stephen Polansky (ASN: 6838728), 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 18th Air Base Squadron, Air Corps, in the rescue of a child marooned in a narrow valley by flood waters on the Island of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, at about 4:00 p.m., 5 May 1939. When a sudden freshet in a mountain stream trapped a young boy on a ledge in a narrow valley in the path of the rapidly rising waters, Private First Class Polansky, with utter disregard of his personal safety, plunged in the swollen and turbulent stream, and went to his assistance. Fighting his way against the swift current which made swimming difficult and dangerous, Private First Class Polansky swam to the boy, helped him into the water, and guiding him through the swollen stream by holding on to branches of partially submerged trees, assisted him to a place of safety on the opposite bank. The heroism and resourcefulness displayed by Private First Class Polansky on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.