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 Murphy Williams, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in Pusan Harbor, Korea, on 19 April 1955. While serving as Fire Chief, Station No. 1, 8075th Engineer Firefighting Company, Sergeant Williams and his company responded within minutes after a report of fire aboard the SS Audrey, loaded with HE bombs, incendiary clusters and heat sensitive explosives, berthed in Pusan Harbor. Firefighting operations were hampered by intense clouds of billowing smoke. Fully aware of the danger involved, Sergeant Williams entered the smoke-logged, ammunition-laden hatch to ascertain the location and extent of the blaze. He immediately saw an ignited parachute flare wedged between the hull and the dunnage, out of reach of the fire hose and imminently threatening to detonate the lethal cargo. Quickly seizing the burning flare with his bar hands, he carried it to the center of the hold where the water hose could extinguish it. Sergeant Williams’ quick thinking and intrepid actions averted a major catastrophe with potential loss of lives and property, reflecting utmost credit on himself and upholding the esteemed tradition of the military service.