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 David L. Hegseth, United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy on 24 March 1969 while serving as an armored cavalry assault vehicle driver with Troop C, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Troop C was in an evening logger position in the jungle near the Michelin Rubber Plantation. A combat emergency flight had brought in three pallets of Sheridan tank main gun ammunition because of a dangerously low supply. Suddenly, three of the 152-mm. rounds ignited causing flames to leap 15 feet into the air and three feet from the pallets of ammunition. With the initial burst of flames, two of the crew members of the tank were severely burned. Reacting instantly, Specialist Hegseth raced to the flames, realizing that the ammunition could explode at any time. Rescuing the two injured crewmen, Specialist Hegseth then grabbed a fire extinguisher and raced back to the flames extinguishing the blaze and averting a possible disaster to the entire troop. Specialist Four Hegseth’s courage in the face of imminent danger and valorous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.