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 Master Sergeant Lorenzo Prats, Jr., United States Army, for a member of 7552d Army Unit, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Fort Brooke, Puerto Rico, in the rescue of a small child near Boca de Cangrejos, San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 23 May 1954. While fishing near Boca Cangrejos Beach, Sergeant Prats observed a small boy struggling in a vicious riptide and on the verge of drowning. Although well aware of the treacherous nature of the current and tides in the vicinity, he unhesitatingly dived into the water without regard for his personal safety and rescued the child from imminent danger. Sergeant Prats’ alert and courageous action undoubtedly saved the life of the child at great risk to his own, and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.