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 Captain (Chaplain) Mark C. Thompson, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, on 11 August 1955. While driving from Elmendorf Air Force base to Fort Richardson Chaplain Thompson observed a fighter aircraft 80D, which was armed with 40-rocker projectile, crash into rough wooded terrain near the highway and burst into flames. Immediately he rushed down an embankment of boulders and debris and stumbled through the rain-swollen water of Ship Creek to the crash. Although there was imminent danger of explosion of the fighter’s rockets which were scattered about in the flames of the burning wreckage, Chaplain Thompson unhesitatingly went to the aid of the pilot, who along with an observer, was pinned in the wreckage of the burning aircraft. Assisted by members of the fire-fighting and rescue parties who arrived shortly after he did, Chaplain Thompson extricated the pilot from the cockpit of the burning plane. With utter disregard for his own life, he then remained with the injured officers until ambulances arrived. The fearless and heroic actions on the part of Chaplain Thompson were an inspiration to all present at the scene and reflect great credit on himself and the military service.