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 Specialist Third Class Lee L. Bean, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while on duty with First Composite Service Unit, in action near spelling Bucknerville, Okinawa, on 28 April 1955. Following the crash of the United States Air Force aircraft, Specialist Bean voluntarily, without hesitation and without regard to the great personal danger to himself, proceeded into the flaming wreckage in an effort to ascertain the possibility of survivors and, if any, to attempt rescue. The aircraft fuel tanks been destroyed in a vast amount of gasoline was burning with intense heat in the crash area. Oxygen tanks and other inflammable components of the plane were exploding intermittently. Several burning bodies were removed from the wreckage and the flames extinguished before it could be determined that there were no survivors. Only after it was clear that no further assistance could be rendered did Specialist Bean retire to a point of safety. Specialist Bean’s fortitude and courageous action in the face of extreme personal danger reflects the highest credit on himself and the United States Army.