The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Soldier’s Medal (Posthumously) to Private Charles R. Pond, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company A, 981st Engineer Construction Battalion, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 2 September 1953. Private pond was a member of an assault boat crew operating a boat which was participating in a class on Light Stream Crossing Equipment (Infantry Support Raft). In making a turn, the boat started to ship water and the passengers shifted to one side, causing it to overturn. Approximately one-half of the passengers were unable to swim. Private Pond, who was a swimmer, remained calm and began to place numerous no swimmers on the overturned boat. With complete disregard for his safety, he swam to the nearest bank with a non-swimmer, a feat which he repeated twice. On a subsequent trip to the scene of the accident, he became exhausted and called for assistance, but the rescue boat could not reach him in time to save him from drowning. Private Pond’s courageous and heroic action in this emergency prevented the loss of life of several of his fellow soldiers and reflects great credit on himself and the military service.