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 Technician Fourth Grade] Kenneth M. Ames (ASN: 36204801), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with the enemy on 9 September 1944 at Le Valdahon, France. During a strafing by two enemy planes of the shops of his company, a 2 _-ton truck loaded with highly explosive oxygen and acetylene caught fire from enemy shells. Sergeant Ames, without regard to his personal safety, drove the burning truck away from the shop and remaining trucks after one drum of acetylene had exploded, thereby saving the lives of the men in the near vicinity and also the ordnance equipment inside the shop. After Sergeant Ames had got away from the truck another drum of acetylene exploded and spread the flames. This display of heroic stamina and courage in face of great personal danger reflects high credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.