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 Master Sergeant [then Sergeant First Class] Woody S. Ervin (ASN: RA_ 6258006), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States as a member of Company M, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action on 30 November 1950 in the vicinity of Songchon, Korea. On that date Sergeant Ervin was withdrawing with the remainder of the company in order to avoid complete encirclement by a numerically superior enemy when an aircraft of the United Nations Forces crashed in rice paddy about 200 yards form the company positions and burst into flames. Although the company was at that time under heavy enemy small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire, Sergeant Ervin, with a comrade, rushed through the smoke and heat to the wreckage. Finding the pilot trapped in the cockpit of the aircraft, he cut his safety belt and carried the injured pilot out of the reach of the flames. He then called an ambulance and evacuated the pilot. His courageous action under enemy fire and in extreme danger from exploding gasoline was responsible for saving the life of the pilot. The heroism and selfless action of Sergeant Ervin in going to the aid of a comrade at the risk of his own life reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.