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 John L. Chapman, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters and Service Company 40th Tank Battalion, on 27 January 1956, in the vicinity of Hanau, Germany. The 40th Tank Battalion was proceeding to Vilseck, Germany, in a truck convoy. As the convoy stopped for a maintenance check, it was discovered that a cooking unit caught fire in the rear of the mess truck, trapping six people inside. With admirable self-composure and with no thought of his personal safety, Sergeant Chapman picked up the blazing fire unit in his bare hands, lifted it over the tailgate of the truck, and threw it into the snow extinguishing the fire. In the process, Sergeant Chapman’s clothing caught fire. When these flames were extinguished he then directed the evacuation of the occupants of the truck to a safe place. Before the unit was removed the body of the truck had ignited and the situation was being further endangered as the flames spread rapidly toward ammunition stored in the vehicle and the gasoline tank. Anticipating an explosion, Sergeant Chapman ordered everyone away from the truck. He then climbed into the smoke filled cab and drove the vehicle off the road a safe distance from the convoy. The smoke and heat inside the cab were so intense that he had to climb onto the running board in order to see and breathe. Sergeant Chapman’s alert, prompt, and courageous action in the faces grave danger reflects great credit on himself in the military service.