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 Captain (Air Corps) Ralph L. Thompson, United States Army Air Forces, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in North Africa, on 23 April 1944. On that date, an Army airplane crashed and burst into flame, gasoline tanks and ammunition exploding. Captain Thompson fearlessly and at the risk of his life repeatedly entered the burning fuselage searching for members of the crew who might be trapped in the fiery wreckage.