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 Herve J. Rainville, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 77th Special Forces Group, (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 30 March 1954. A C-119 aircraft crashed into a mess hall in the area of the 77th Special Forces Group (Airborne), trapping the crew and mess hall personnel in the wreckage. Sergeant Rainville saw the aircraft crash into the building, ran to the scene of the accident, and, with complete disregard for his personal safety, entered the flaming wreckage and assisted in the rescue of the injured pilot and copilot of the C-119 aircraft. Again Sergeant Rainville entered the burning aircraft and aided in removing one of the injured cooks who was pinned in the wreckage. He remained on the scene and assisted in fighting the fire until it was completely under control. The heroism displayed by Sergeant Rainville reflects great credit on himself and the military service.