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 Gunner John Cruickshanks, British Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 170th Battery, 66th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, at Foggia, Italy, on 8 May 1944. When an American bombardment aircraft overshot the runway in an attempt to make a crash landing, Gunner Cruickshanks, disregarding flames which had begun to spread from the burning engine and the imminent danger of explosion, rushed to the aircraft and led two of the dazed crew to safety and returned twice to the blazing wreckage to drag other members of the crew from the fuselage. By his heroism and initiative, Gunner Cruickshanks reflected great credit on himself and the armed forces of the Allied Nations.