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 Lyndon B. Van Hook (ASN: 6349014), United States Army Air Corps, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with 20th Pursuit Group, GHQ Air Force, in averting possible loss of life and destruction of Government property at Barksdale Field, Shreveport, Louisiana, on 13 April 1938. On observing that a large unmanned Army airplane with one engine operating at full throttle was running wild on the ground of the landing field on which it had been parked, imminently endangering personnel, parked airplanes, and gasoline tank trucks nearby, Private Van Hook, despite the danger of being struck by the erratically moving craft, with utter disregard of his personal safety, unhesitatingly ran onto the field to attempt to stop the careening airplane. Making his way with difficulty over the deeply rutted and muddy ground, Private Van Hook was finally able to swing himself into the cockpit, close the throttle, and bring the run-away airplane to a stop, thereby averting possible loss of life among the personnel on the field and destruction of valuable Government property. The courage and presence of mind displayed by Private Van Hook on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.