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] Herbert Pickens (ASN: RA-18330356), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving with Battery C, 58th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, in action in Korea. Sergeant Pickens was chief of section, Howitzer number six, on 12 December 1950, in the vicinity of Majon-dong, Korea, when he discovered a fire in the powder increments along side his artillery piece. Voluntarily risking his own life, Sergeant Pickens remained with the weapon and bravely fought the blaze, which threatened to destroy his gun at any moment. His desperate efforts were seen by the battery executive officer who ran to his aid and with this additional assistance, Sergeant Pickens was able to extinguish the nearly disastrous and highly explosive flames. Sergeant Pickens’ unruffled behavior and calm heroism in the face of danger reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.