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 Private First Class Reginald A. Layoff, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while on leave and en route from assignment in Korea to assignment at Fort Carson Colorado, on 18 November 1955, when the civilian aircraft in which he was a passenger crashed and burned approximately one mile south of Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington. Although Private Layoff had received burns and injuries when he escaped from the airplane, he unhesitatingly and with no thought for his own safety helped to smother the flames enveloping a soldier whose clothing and hair were ablaze. Private Layoff then unsuccessfully attempted to assist another soldier extricate two bodies trapped in the flaming wreckage. The lack of personal concern in the face of great danger in the presence of mind demonstrated by Private Layoff in assisting the rescue of his fellow passengers reflect great credit on himself in the military service.