The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Airman’s Medal to Staff Sergeant James Russell Lewis (AFSN: AF-11932250), United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, on 3 December 1971. On that date, a steam pipe explosion directly over Sergeant Lewis’ instrument trainer, and the resulting deluge of water, threatened the electrocution of a foreign student pilot and costly damage to seven instrument trainers. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Lewis removed the student to a place of safety, shut down all electrical power to the trainers, and quickly located and shut off the source of water to the broken pipe before injury or serious damage to equipment could occur. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellowman, Sergeant Lewis has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.