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 Technician Fourth Grade Martin D. Berkland (ASN: 37125016), United States Army, for heroism as a member of Company E, 410th Infantry Regiment, 103d Infantry Division, near ****, France, on 19 December 1944. During the early morning hours an explosion set fire to a barn housing Company E’s kitchen personnel. Technician Berkland, on the outside of the barn, seeing a cook emerge from the building with his clothes aflame, tackled the man and succeeded in extinguishing the flames by rolling him on the ground. Despite numerous burns received by this action, Technician Berkland ran into the flaming barn, aroused the other men, and then assisted in putting out the fire. Only then would h submit to medical attention. His actions reflected the highest traditions of the military service.