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 Specialist Third Class Donald J. Perry, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters and Service Company, 32nd Tank Battalion, 3d Armored Division (Spearhead), near Altenstadt, Germany, on 5 April 1957. While in charge of a one-quarter-ton vehicle on a reconnaissance mission, he observed a light aircraft fall to the ground. The plane crashed nearby and Specialist Perry, along with the vehicle driver, proceeded to the scene of the crash. Upon arriving they found two men pinned inside the cockpit. Specialist Perry dispatched the driver for help and immediately, without regard for his own life, began removing the bodies from the burning wreckage. Specialist Perry received an ax from a German National and within a short time had freed the bodies from the plane. After removing the bodies from the cockpit, Specialist Perry procured a fire extinguisher and attempted to extinguish the flames. Although the two men were dead, unknown to him at the time he arrived in the scene, Specialist Perry displayed courage and alertness to the highest degree by risking his own life to save the bodies of two fellow soldiers from burning. This action reflected great credit on himself and the military service.