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 Colonel Mathias R. Velasco, United States Army, for heroism above and beyond the call of duty on 11 September 2001, in the minutes immediately following the terrorist attack on the Pentagon. Colonel Velasco first took action to evacuate the members of his division, ensuring that everyone had safely exited the building. When that job was done, he ran to assist other people in fighting the fire and evacuating the injured. His immediate action was to locate and deliver fire extinguishers to the volunteers fighting the fire and assisting them with firefighting. Colonel Velasco’s actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the United States Army.