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 Major Michael Kerzie, United States Army, for heroism above and beyond the call of duty on 11 September 2001, after a hijacked airline flight, with over 30,000 pounds of jet fuel was used by international terrorists as a weapon to attack the Pentagon. Immediately upon impact, Major Kerzie entered the damaged area at corridor 4 E-Ring and began rescue efforts. Initially he assisted survivors as they escaped from the wreckage and debris. However, even though encountering intense heat, thick toxic smoke, and at one point, an immense wall of flames that reached from the first floor through the roof, and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he proceeded deeper into the area of impact along the E-Ring, pulling injured and wounded from the wreckage. Major Kerzie worked feverishly for hours, attempting to enter corridor 5 through the B-Ring to rescue more victims. During his efforts he was repeatedly pulled back by rescue officials due to recurring threats of additional attacks, secondary explosions, and intense fire. He never stopped and if he was not allowed into one area, he moved to another, assisting at the rescue operations are until official rescue personnel refused him entrance back into the building. Major Kerzie’s heroic acts are a testament of his bravery and reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the United States Army.