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 John C. Kmiec, United States Air Force, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States on 29 March 1951, as a Flight Engineer for a C-119 aircraft which crash-landed near Hongchon, Korea. Realizing that a crash-landing was imminent, Sergeant Kmiec, with complete disregard for his own safety, remained in the cargo compartment of the aircraft attempting to jettison the cargo of highly inflammable drums of gasoline. He persisted in his efforts until the aircraft landed and burst into flames. Although he was injured and in a state of shock, he noticed that the pilots were lying dangerously close to the burning aircraft and that the radio operator was trapped beneath a section of the aircraft’s flooring. Realizing the danger confronting his fellow crew members, Sergeant Kmiec first removed the radio operator and then, with the aid of friendly Koreans, carried the pilots away from the fiercely burning aircraft and exploding drums of gasoline. Through this heroic action he saved the li8ves of the radio operator and the co-pilot. Sergeant Kmiec’s courageous performance was in keepi9ng with the highest traditions of the service and reflected the highest credit upon himself and the military service great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.