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 Specialist Fourth Class Richard Heaton, United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy on 26 June 1970 while serving as a gunner with Troop I, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, as the troop was moving in a column formation, the troop commander’s vehicle suddenly struck a mine. The initial explosion mortally wounded the commander and seriously wounded the other crew members. At the same time it ignited secondary fires causing the ammunition in the vehicle to ignite. Immediately, Specialist Heaton jumped from his on vehicle and, completely disregarding his own personal safety, leaped upon the burning vehicle and pulled the wounded driver from the flaming driver’s compartment. Disregarding the serious burns he received, he then extinguished the fire on the burning vehicle Specialist Four Heaton’s actions were in keepings with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.