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 Russell E. Robbins (ASN: 12020203), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving with while serving with the 5th Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, in action in North Africa and Sicily, during the period from March through July 1943. When a faulty fireplace caused a fire in a supply room containing munitions, Corporal McDonald and another enlisted man entered the building and removed several burning boxes of ammunition and live hand grenades, carried them to a nearby water spigot, and extinguished the flames. This action prevented serious injury to the men quartered in the vicinity of this supply room. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Corporal McDonald reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.