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 Private First Class William J. Lyons (ASN: 37696237), United States Army, for heroism in the vicinity of ****, Germany on 12 December 1944. On the night of 12 December, while Company C, 1st Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, was crossing the **** River in assault boats, one of the boats overturned in the swift current. One of the officers in the boat was unable to swim to shore. Private Lyons and another enlisted man who had reached shore after the assault boat capsized, saw the officer clutching to a wire cable with his face submerged in the water. Private Lyons and his companion promptly jumped into the river and pulled the unconscious officer to the shore. The heroic action of Private Lyons undoubtedly saved the life of the officer and is in accord with the military traditions of the United States.