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 Lewis C. Fogarty, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 811th Signal Company (Service), Fort Richardson, Alaska, in saving the life of a child at McChord Air Force Base, Seattle, Washington, on 6 September 1953. Immediately after the crash landing of a Northwest Airlines Constellation, on which he was a passenger, he was evacuating the aircraft which had burst into flame upon impact. Hearing the cries of a hysterical woman about the loss of her child, Sergeant Fogarty, with complete disregard for his personal safety, returned to the interior of the airplane to search for the child. He successfully located the infant in the forward section and carried the child to safety through the expanding conflagration thereby suffering severe burns about his hands, arms and face. He continued to care for the child without regard to his injuries until relieved by medical personnel. Sergeant Fogarty’s prompt and courageous action reflects great credit on himself and the military service.