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 Sergeant [then Corporal] Samuel A. Vance (ASN: RA-19323656), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving with the Medical Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action in Korea. During the early morning hours of 23 December 1951, Company G dispatched a patrol near Ukkowang-san, Korea, with the objective of capturing enemy prisoners. Sergeant Vance, a medical aidman, was designated to guide the patrol through enemy lines, since he had been over the route before and was familiar with the area. The patrol reached its destination and, having made no contact with the foe, was on its way back when it was discovered that they were in an unmarked mine field. After moving only a short distance, Sergeant Vance heard a loud explosion to his rear. Unhesitatingly, he ran fearlessly through the hazardous mine field to the area of the explosion. Finding one man mortally wounded and two others seriously injured, he immediately rendered first aid and dis as much possible to quiet the wounded. He then improvised litters and cautiously directed the patrol out of the mine field and back to friendly lines where his wounded comrades could receive further treatment. Sergeant Vance’s heroic actions and untiring devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.