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 Billy L. Thurman, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 204th Military Police Company, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, on 17 March 1956. Upon learning that two children were trapped in a burning trailer nearby Sergeant Thurman immediately went to their aid. An attempted entry through the front door was not possible because of heat and smoke. Rushing to the back door Sergeant Thurman found the mother of the children attempting to enter and while removing her from the trailer was bitten by a dog. After repeated efforts to crawl into the trailer were frustrated by suffocating smoke and intense heat, Sergeant Thurman arrived at a side window in time to assist a fellow soldier in removing the children. Sergeant Thurman’s courageous action and disregard of his own safety reflect great credit on himself and are in keeping with the traditions of the military service.