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 Robert L. Kepner, 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 Sergeant Kepner 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. Sergeant Kepner, 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 high waves were breaking ferociously against the rocks, placing him in great danger of being swept into the sea. Risking his own life, he exhibited every possible effort to complete the rescue. Sergeant Kepner’s heroic actions in the emergency reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Army.