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 William D. LaPorte, 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 La Porte 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 La Porte, with the help of several enlisted men, attempted to throw a rope to one of the drowning victims. This required him to jump down a jutting cliff where high waves were breaking ferociously on 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. Private First Class La Porte’s heroic actions in the emergency reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Army.