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 Major (Medical Corps), [then Captain] Joseph Edward Walther (ASN: 36042879), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving as Flight Surgeon with the SEVENTH Air Force, in Hawaii, on the night of April 5, 1942. Following the crash of an Army airplane, Major Walther was one of seven members of a rescue squad that scaled Koolau Range to removed the victims from the crashed and burning plane. Aided only by small ropes, they made their way up the mountain walls in the darkness and then carried on rescue and recovery efforts for three days. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Major Walther reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.