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 Robert L. Kellas (ASN: 39696536), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States in rescuing a soldier from the Tenaru River at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 26 November 1943. Although his ask was made more difficult by the man’s struggling in the water, Private Kellas managed to get him safely ashore. He unhesitatingly assumed the dangerous undertaking, although at the time, fragments from bursting shells were falling all about. The shells were exploding at a nearby ammunition dump which had been set afire accidentally. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Private First Class Kellas reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.