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 Private First Class Charles E. Hailey, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 2 August 1956 at Pusan, Korea,. When Private First Class Hailey received word that a group of people were in distress on a point of land at Heunde Beach, Pusan, Korea, he promptly proceeded to the scene with his commanding officer and other personnel from his unit. He found that a huge wave in the wake of a typhoon had washed several persons into the sea and they were being drowned by the raging surf. Private First Class Hailey, with the help of several enlisted men, attempted to throw a rope to one of the drowning victims. This required him to climb down a jutting cliff where waves were breaking ferociously against the rocks. Realizing the futility of their efforts, Private First Class Hailey and the others decided to return to higher ground. As they proceeded up the cliff, one of the waves swept Private First Class Hailey and a companion off their feet. Private First Class Hailey pulled himself to safety, sustaining a fractured ankle and a chipped elbow, while his companion was washed off the rocks and drowned in the sea. Private First Class Hailey’s heroic actions in the emergency reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Army.