The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Soldier’s Medal (Posthumously) to Sergeant Nguyen Van Hiep, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Fluvial Patrol Training Center, An Hhanh Post, during the early morning hours of 17 June 1966. While working as a member of a joint United States and Vietnamese boat patrol on the Saigon River, information was received of a suspected larceny from a barge anchored in the river. Upon proceeding to the location of the barge, the American member of the patrol, while attempting to secure the patrol boat to the barge, lost his balance and fell into the water. With utter disregard for his own personal safety and intent upon saving the life of his fellow patrolman, Sergeant Hiep dove into the water. While attempting to assist his comrade at the same time fight the overpowering currents, he was swept away and subsequently drowned. Although his rescue attempts were unsuccessful, Sergeant Hiep’s heroic act stands as a memorial to his person and will remain as an example of ultimate comradeship and an expression of the true spirit of union, self-sacrifice, and togetherness exhibited daily among the members of both the Vietnamese and United States armies. Sergeant Hiep, in making the supreme sacrifice, brought credit upon himself, his organization and the Vietnamese Army.