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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Edward L. Bates, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with the 61st Bombardment Squadron, 39th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), TWENTIETH Air Force, in enemy waters on 14 – 15 May 1945. The B-29 aircraft of which Lieutenant Bates was Navigator was forced to ditch in hostile waters while returning to its base in the Mariana Islands from a combat mission against the Japanese Empire. Escaping from the ditched airplane onto the wing, Lieutenant Bates observed several distressed crew members in the water. Tearing off his life jacket in order to swim rapidly, he plunged into the turbulent sea with disregard for his own safety, bringing aid to three members of the crew. Subsequently, Lieutenant Bates took command of the survivors, after the ranking officer present became incapacitated. He directed his companions through a night of violent rain storms and heavy seas, despite a leaking raft and the fact that most of his group were suffering from shock, exhaustion, and sea-sickness. The rescue was effected later in the next day by a surface vessel of our Navy. Lieutenant Bates’ heroic disregard for his own safety in rescuing his fellow crew members, his courage, and his exceptional leadership reflect great credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.