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 Staff Sergeant [then Sergeant] John F. Cottrell (ASN: 34678085), United States Army, for heroism while serving with the 35th Infantry Division near ****, France, on 13 December 1944. A footbridge constructed across the **** River, at a point where the swift and icy stream was forty feet wide, collapsed after it has borne the weight of heavily-laden troops for approximately ten hours. Five infantrymen, burdened by their heavy clothing and equipment, fell into the racing current and struggled helplessly. Sergeant Cottrell, assisted by two other enlisted men, without regard for his personal safety, formed a human chain in order to reach the struggling men, and succeeded in pulling three to safety, the fourth drowning as he lost his grip on the outstretched hand of the chain, the fifth reaching the river bank by himself. Were it not for the resourcefulness, bravery, and disregard for personal safety displayed by Sergeant Cottrell, three of his comrades would have perished.