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 Private First Class William E. Van Der Sluis (ASN: 39010534), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States. On 23 July 1942, at Fort Randall, Alaska, when Private First Class Van Der Sluis, after observing a land-based fighter aircraft make a forced landing in Cold Bay and sink immediately and noticed the pilot swimming 2,000 yards off shore, voluntarily acted to effect the rescue of the pilot by swimming to his assistance. This heroic act reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.