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 Private Nathaniel Dukes, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 10 July 1952. While participating in a parachute drop, under assumed combat conditions, he noticed a falling fellow soldier whose parachute had collapsed. With complete disregard for his safety and no thought of danger involved, he grasped the suspension lines of the collapsed parachute as his falling comrade passed and clung to it tenaciously. The reserve parachute worn by the falling parachutist also failed to open. The two men then rode to earth supported by the parachute worn by Private Dukes. Through quick thinking and fast action on the part of Private Dukes, his falling comrade was saved from almost certain death. The heroism of Private Dukes reflects distinct credit on himself and the military service.