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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Paul E. Lasker, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company C, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina on 25 March 1955 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. As Lieutenant Lasker received his opening shock, a fellow paratrooper whose parachute had not deployed properly and offered no flotation whatever, passed through Lieutenant Lasker’s parachute suspension lines. Lieutenant Lasker, with utter disregard for his own safety, grabbed the falling individual’s parachute and held onto it, despite severe burns and lacerations of his hands and forearms as a result of his effort. Although an added weight in excess of 250 pounds was placed on Lieutenant Johnson’s parachute and his rate of descent increased dangerously, he clung tenaciously to the Òfree-faller’sÓ parachute and the two men thus rode to the ground. The alertness and courage of Lieutenant Lasker prevented his companion from plunging to his death and reflect great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.