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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Chester A. Ray, JR. (ASN: 0-809872), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with the 764th Bombardment Squadron, 461st Bombardment Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, at an Allied airfield in Italy. On 10 May 1944, a B-24 type aircraft crashed on landing and caught fire. Rushing to the scene Second Lieutenant Ray and two comrades discovered that one man had been rendered unconscious and was trapped in the wreckage of the airplane. Bravely ignoring the personal risk involved from the possible explosion of the burning gasoline and live ammunition still in the place, Second Lieutenant Ray and his comrades succeeded in removing the injured man from the ship without further harm. By his heroism and gallantry, in risking his life to save the life of another, Second Lieutenant Ray has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.