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 Private First Class James A. Lotson, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 43d Transportation Company (Light Truck), 69th Transportation Battalion, (Truck), on 12 April 1955. At approximately 0900 hours, Private Lotson, a truck driver, observed a fire burning around the gas tank of his vehicle. At this time Private Lotson’s vehicle was parked immediately beside an ammunition storage Quonset and was loaded with 500 rounds of 60-mm mortar ammunition. The ammunition storage Quonset, one of seven similar Quonsets in the immediate vicinity, contained 50 tons of ammunition. Private Lotson immediately tried to extinguish the fire with sand but to no avail. Private Lotson, without regard for his personal safety, entered his vehicle and drove it approximately 100 yards away from the area and then ran for cover. The ammunition on the vehicle then exploded completely destroying the vehicle. Private Lotson’s heroic action, in addition to preventing the loss of approximately 350 tons of ammunition stored in the Quonsets very possibly saved the lives of American soldiers and Korean service personnel working in the vicinity.