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 Master Sergeant [then Private] Matthew L. Pelikan, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in rescuing a woman from the roof of her burning home at McKeesport, Pennsylvania, on the night of 27 December 1939. Upon seeing a woman trapped and in grave danger on the porch roof of her burning home and attempting to jump to the ground, following her sister who was injured in doing so, Sergeant Pelikan immediately cautioned the woman not to jump. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he climbed to the roof and, with great difficulty, succeeded in carrying the woman safely down to the ground, thereby saving her life. He then rushed the injured sister to the hospital, where she later died from the injuries received. Upon returning to the scene of the fire, he took the rescued woman to the same hospital. The heroism displayed by Sergeant Pelikan on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.