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 Sergeant J. T. Jones, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, on 8 January 1951 at Camp Polk, Louisiana. While acting as an instructor of throwing pits Nos. 1 and 3 on the hand grenade range, he observed a soldier attempting to throw an activated fragmentation grenade, which lodged on a sandbag of pit No. 1. With complete disregard for his safety, Sergeant Jones brushed the armed grenade from the sandbag and pushed the soldier down into the pit so that he would not be injured by the explosion. The soldier started to crawl from the pit and Sergeant Jones again at great hazard to himself tackled and fell upon him, shielding him from the exploding grenade. Sergeant Jones’ prompt, determined action in the face of great danger reflects distinct credit on himself and the military service.