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 L. Easterling, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of 501st Airborne Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, on 15 August 1955. While receiving instruction on throwing live fragmentation hand grenades, a trainee in the bay with Private Easterling dropped a grenade while in the act of drawing back his arm to throw. The grenade rolled approximately 13 feet behind the bay where it endangered personnel in adjoining bays. The trainee ran to the grenade and stood over it, but froze and was unable to pick it up. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Private Easterling pushed the trainee to the ground, picked up the grenade and threw it into the impact area where it exploded on contact. The heroism displayed by Private Easterling reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the traditions of the military service.