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 Captain (Corps of Engineers) Thomas Brown Gautier, Jr., United States Army, for heroism on 15 August 1944 in France. In the invasion of Southern France, a large landing craft approaching the coast was struck squarely by an enemy glider bomb. The seriously damaged vessel, loaded with heavy artillery, ammunition and personnel, drifted ashore in flames and the ammunition began to explode. Although the personnel of headquarters and service company had been moved inland from the beach to escape the hurtling shell fragments, Captain Gautier and some companions returned to the shore near the burning ship and began rescue work. Aware of the desperate plight of the men who had been forced to abandon the craft by leaping overboard into the water, the rescue party worked indefatigably until midnight, swimming alongside the shop and dragging the men ashore. As the injured men were brought to the beach they were carried to a place of safety and given first aid treatment. Captain Gautier and his companions did not cease their unselfish and hazardous work until they had saved 75 men from drowning and had treated another 15 for burns, wounds and shock.