The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pride in presenting the Soldier’s Medal (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Signal Corps) Keith R. Kerr, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 833d Signal Service Company, at Bas Samois, France, on 14 July 1953. After being involved in a collision in which one of the vehicles plunged down a precipitous embankment into the Seine River, he observed that the driver was trapped in the rapidly sinking vehicle and dire distress. Unhesitatingly, he pushed his way through heavy undergrowth covering the steep slope and jumped fully clothed into the swift and polluted water of the Seine River which was particularly turbulent at that point, in a heroic effort to extricate the man from the car. While calling words of encouragement as he swam in the darkness to the rescue of the helpless man, and guided only by his screams for help, Lieutenant Kerr was either stricken by a cramp or exhausted by his valiant efforts when he disappeared from sight and drowned. Lieutenant Kerr’s prompt and courageous action, with complete disregard for his personal safety, and self-sacrifice in his valiant attempt to save a human life reflect the highest credit on himself and the military service.