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 First Class James R. Bryant, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Service Company, 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 28 May 1953. While participating in a parachute jump and in the act of descending, a fellow paratrooper with a partially inflated parachute came in contact with Sergeant Bryant’s parachute. In an attempt to slip away, the other jumper’s parachute collapsed and he started to fall to earth. With complete disregard for his personal safety, and the utmost presence of mind, Sergeant Bryant grabbed the canopy of the other jumper’s parachute, thus preventing his rapid descent toward the ground, and held it until a distance of approximately 50 feet from the earth. The other jumper was able to release his reserve parachute and land without incident. This caused the parachute of Sergeant Bryant to collapse and he suffered severe back injury upon contact with the ground. Sergeant Bryant’s prompt and courageous action was responsible for preventing serious injury or possible death to his comrade and reflects great credit on himself and the military service.