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 Sergeant Michael L. Art (ASN: US-51879031), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Art distinguished himself by valorous actions on 12 August 1968, while serving as a Squad Leader with Company A, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, while crossing a swiftly flowing river during the hours of darkness. Hearing splashing and loud noises from the river behind him, Sergeant Art looked back and saw, by the light of a flare, that a man had slipped off an air mattress and had been swept under the swift current. Knowing that the man was a non-swimmer, Sergeant Art immediately dove into the river with all his equipment on and pulled the victim to safety. While reviving him, Sergeant Art observed another man fall into the water. Disregarding his own safety a second time, Sergeant Art again risked his life to save a drowning man. Sergeant Art’s heroic actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.