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 Corporal [then Private First Class] Walter R. Houston, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in extinguishing the flaming clothing of an enlisted man on the night of 6 June 1941, near Beechgrove, Tennessee. When an enlisted an of the battery kitchen truck was refueling the tank of one of the burners on the field range with gasoline, the vapor from the gasoline ignited, covering his clothing with flaming gasoline. Upon leaping from the truck and attempting to run, Corporal Houston and another enlisted man seized him, threw him to the ground, and, without thought of personal danger, covered him with their bodies. With the help of another soldier who had arrived with a fire extinguisher, they succeeded in extinguishing the man’s blazing clothing, thereby saving his life. The heroism displayed by Corporal Houston on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and the military service.