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 Warrant Officer (W-1) Robert J. Whatley, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 93rd Transportation Company (Light Helicopter) (H-21) at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, during the period 1 July 1956 to 11 July 1956. A member of the Army Recovery Team at the site of commercial aviation’s worst disaster, he volunteered above and beyond the call of duty to make the first helicopter flight to the scene of the crash. With utter disregard for his personal safety, knowing that aeronautical experts and experienced mountain climbers had declared the task to be impossible of completion, Warrant Officer Whatley immediately chose to perform the hazardous duty despite the tremendous risks and obstacles existing at the location of the accident. Upon his arrival at the first crash site, he aided in guiding subsequent aircraft to that location, assisted in locating and recovering the remains of the victims, and then proceeded by foot to the canyon floor below the second crash site where he located the first three bodies from that plane. He later volunteered to make an additional helicopter flight to the site of the second crash which was in an even more hazardous location than the first site. Warrant Officer Whatley’s courage, initiative, and selfless exposure to possible death reflect the highest credit on himself, his unit, and the military service.