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 Technical Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant] John A. Leaf, United States Army Air Forces, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 20 July 1943 when his battle-damaged aircraft was forced to ditch in the North Sea. When the airplane struck the sea, an oil fire ignited and spread over the water. Completely disregarding personal safety, Sergeant Leaf pulled an unconscious gunner out of the burning oil and into a life raft. Sergeant Leaf’s prompt and heroic actions on this occasion reflect the highest credit on himself and the armed forces of the United States.