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 Vincent B. Licciardi, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving at the U. S. Army Garrison, Boston Army Base, in action in the Oswego Water Intake Tunnel under Lake Ontario at Oswego, New York, on 18 and 19 August 1957. An explosion believed to have been caused by the premature detonation of one of the booster charges used to set off a large blasting operation conducted by civilian engineers, occurred at the entrance of the tunnel and trapped three members of the working group inside. Arriving on the scene almost two hours after the explosion, Sergeant Licciardi, noting that no organized rescue attempts had been made, immediately took charge of the situation and organized a rescue party. His logical and methodical steps included ordering an air compressor which was on the scene into operation by contacting neighboring fire departments for available hose and directing the connection of the hose to clear the deadly gases from the tunnel. Although repeatedly warned of the eminent danger of the accumulation of explosive gases, Sergeant Licciardi led the rescue team into the tunnel, and on his initial entrance remained for three hours, returning to the surface only at the direct orders of a superior officer. After a brief period on the surface he returned to the tunnel and continued to direct placement of additional air hoses, and remained again for almost four hours. His clear thinking and foresight not only won the high praise of his fellow workers, but undoubtedly prevented further loss of life in this rescue attempt. Only when Sergeant Licciardi was completely exhausted did he allow himself to be brought to the surface again, lapsing into a state of unconsciousness prior to reaching the top of the shaft. The heroic and unselfish disregard for his own personal safety displayed throughout the entire rescue operation by Sergeant Licciardi reflect the utmost credit on himself and the military service.