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 James H. Stratton, 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, Army Aviation Regiment, Fort Rucker, Alabama, on Organ Mountain near White Sands Proving Ground, New Mexico, from 1 to 2 October 1955. Despite the great personal hazards involved, he unhesitatingly volunteered to lead a mission to rescue two officers who had fallen from a cliff on the treacherous slopes of the Organ Mountains. Together with the other members of the rescue party he was transported in a vehicle to a point approximately one-fourth of the way up the mountain where they had to proceed on foot. During the four hours it took to reach the fallen officers he and his comrades struggled upward under very difficult conditions of rain loosened and trees and boulders. After traversing cliffs in drenching rain and darkness the fallen officers were located at the bottom of the precipitous 500 foot cliff. First aid was administered immediately. Despite exceeding fatigue, he and his comrades attempted to carry the injured officer out of the mountains. Due to the hazardous terrain, rain and darkness he and the other members of the mission were able to move the injured officer only approximate 50 yards in the period of two hours. Sergeant Stratton elected to remain and sent a part of the mission for assistance, rather than risk further injury to the officer and perhaps possible death or serious injury of the members of the rescue party. A rescue party of 30 men arrived in the afternoon and moved the injured officer and the deceased to a lower level where evacuation was accomplished by helicopter. Sergeant Stratton’s courage and tenacity, in the face of extreme danger to his personal safety, reflect great credit on himself and the military service.