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 Airman First Class Newton P. McDonald, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving actual conflict with an enemy while serving as a member of a crash rescue team, 6161st Air Installations Squadron, Yokota Air Base, on the evening of 18 November 1951. Airman McDonald and his crew arrived at the scene shortly after a bomb-laden B-29 type aircraft had crashed on take-off and burst into flame. Despite the fact that he knew the blazing aircraft was loaded with high octane gasoline and demolition bombs which could explode at any moment, Airman McDonald deliberately entered the wreckage in an attempt to rescue members of the ship’s crew. Airman McDonald’s selfless courage and total disregard of personal safety beyond the call of duty reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.