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 Master Sergeant Francis M. Gartland, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Battery B, 51st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 17 November 1955. While supervising the removal of windstorm debris from the battery area, Sergeant Garland noted that a member of this detail was in contact with an electrical power line carrying 2,800 volts and was being electrocuted. Sergeant Garland immediately, grabbed the victim with the full knowledge that physical contact endangered his own life. Sergeant Garland freed his comrade from the wire and applied artificial respiration. Sergeant Garland’s prompt and intrepid action prevented the certain death of a comrade, reflecting utmost credit on himself in the military service.