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 James H. Harmon, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company B, 82nd Engineer Battalion (Combat), at Fort Leonard Would, Missouri, on 26 February 1957. The rise of floodwater on the Big Piney River necessitated the removal of a Bailey bridge which had been placed parallel to a permanent bridge which was under construction. During its removal, the Commanding Officer of Company C, 82nd Engineer Battalion (Combat) whose company installed the bridge and was responsible for its maintenance, fell from a center section into the raging water on the upstream side of the bridge and was pinned with his back against one of the bridge panels by the force of the rain swollen and rampaging current. After 20 minutes when all efforts to extricate the fast weakening officer from the freezing waters had failed, Private Harmon, with utter disregard for his own life, inched himself out on the wrecked portion of the bent and twisted panels of the bridge in an effort to effect a rescue by placing the rope around the Lieutenant’s body. After having a fixed a rope to the Lieutenant so that he could be pulled to safety, Private Harmon was himself swept into the icy, swollen current and swam to safety. Private Harmon’s heroic and prompt action undoubtedly prevented serious injury and possible death to his superior officer, reflecting a great credit on himself and the military service.