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 Private First Class John J. McGilloway (ASN: 33619139), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, on 12 April 1945, near ***, Germany. When his Battalion Commander and Commanding Officer of Company E attempted to cross the Rhine River at night to rescue a wounded officer on the far side, their boat capsized and they called for help. Despite the fact that he knew the current was swift and treacherous, Private First Class McGilloway, a driver, unhesitatingly stripped and dove into the water. When he reached the spot where the call had come from, no swimmers were in sight. He swam about in search of the officers until exhausted and was finally swept down the river and into the superstructure of a sunken barge off shore. Realizing that further search was useless he rested and swam the remaining distance to shore. Private First Class McGilloway’s courageous action in disregarding the unknown currents and lack of visibility in an effort to save a life at the risk of his own was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States Army.