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 First Lieutenant (Medical Service Corps), [then Second Lieutenant] George E. Moglia, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 53rd Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance), near Verdun, France on 23 July 1955. Lieutenant Moglia, attached to Headquarters Advance Section, U.S. Army Europe Communications Zone, on temporary duty, was preparing his H-13 helicopter for flight when he was notified of an aircraft accident. He immediately proceeded to the scene of the mishap by air. Upon arrival, Lieutenant Moglia noticed that the aircraft was submerged in a small lake with only the tail surfaces visible. Realizing that the pilot might be trapped in the cockpit, Lieutenant Moglia, with complete disregard to his personal safety, entered the fuel covered water and attempted to extricate the pilot. After braving the fuel-filled water and spending long minutes under the surface, Lieutenant Moglia became ill. Despite being ill from swallowing the water and getting it in his eyes, he continued his efforts and with the assistance of a fellow officer, he succeeded in removing the pilot from the wreckage and transported him to shore and into the ambulance. Lieutenant Moglia’s heroic attempt to save the life of a brother officer at a decided risk to his own reflects the greatest credit on himself and the military service.