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 Staff Sergeant Carl Banish (ASN: 6988149), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict while serving with Battery D, *** Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, on 4 October 1944, in France. Upon investigation of an explosion near his tent, Sergeant Banish saw that a tractor, M4 had burst into flame, endangering adjacent vehicles and the nearby battery gasoline supply. Knowing that several cans of gasoline and six rounds of 90-millimeter ammunition were contained within the vehicle, Sergeant Banish, unmindful of his own safety, led several other men in removing the ammunition and gasoline cans, one of which was enveloped in flame. Momentarily deterred in his efforts when 50-caliber machine gun ammunition stored in the cab began exploding, Sergeant Banish rallied his men and under his leadership they were able to partially smother the blaze with fire extinguishers and continue with the unloading of the tractor.