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 Captain (Quartermaster Corps) Paul R. Pickel, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 14 January 1964 in the vicinity of Pershing Park Housing Area, Fort Hood, Texas. While Captain Pickel was driving to his home in Pershing Park, he observed a young boy floundering in the waters of an ice covered pond. He quickly stopped his car, rushed to the pond and, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, entered the freezing water in an effort to rescue the child. When difficulty in braking the ice slowed down his progress, he returned to the shore and exposed his wet body to the freezing temperature as he dashed to the opposite side of the pond to get closer to the boy. He then courageously re-entered the pond and broke the ice with his hands in an attempt to reach the spot where the child had submerged. With perseverance and fortitude, he continued his search for the boy until he himself was physically exhausted and had to be pulled to safety by a bystander. Captain Pickel’s unselfish and heroic actions in this emergency are in the highest traditions of the military service. [This award supersedes award of the Army Commendation Medal to Captain Pickel for meritorious achievement on 14 January 1964 as announced in General Orders Number 18, Headquarters, III Corps and Fort Hood, dated 7 February 1964.]