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 William S. Colfax, III (AFSN: AF-16280062), United States Air Force, for heroism at Carswell Air Force Base on 27 February 1950. While performing the duties of an airplane power plant mechanic on a B-26 type aircraft, Sergeant Colfax was informed that a fire had ignited in the wing dangerously close to the fuel tanks. Instead of seeking safety from the impending explosion, Sergeant Colfax immediately disconnected the auxiliary power unit thus eliminating the probable cause of the fire and preventing another. After obtaining a fire extinguisher from the forward compartment of the aircraft, he displayed complete disregard for his own personal safety by entering the flaming wing, and successfully extinguishing the fire. Sergeant Colfax’s prompt and courageous action in this emergency saved much