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 Sergeant First Class Kenneth A. Schmitt, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Battery B, 674th Field Artillery Battalion, at Camp Hakata, Kyushu, Japan, on 17 June 1955. While participating in a parachute jump and in the act of descending, a fellow paratrooper whose parachute had failed to open came in contact with Sergeant Schmitt. With complete disregard for his personal safety and with the utmost presence of mind Sergeant Schmitt grabbed the canopy of the other jumper’s parachute. Sergeant Schmitt’s own reserve parachute was torn open on contact with the other jumper and had to be held in with one hand to keep from fouling in his own canopy. Nevertheless he retained his hold on his comrade’s canopy until they were both on the ground. Sergeant Schmitt’s prompt and courageous action was responsible for preventing serious injury or possible death to his comrade and reflects great credit on himself and the military service.