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 Dyal C. Quarles, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Battery C, 96th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (120-mm. Gun), at Anchorage, Alaska, on 31 July 1957. While seated with two of his fellow soldiers in an automobile parked near Merrill Field, Private Quarles observed the crash of a light plane some 200 yards away. Running immediately to the scene of the crash, Private Quarles and his companions saw that fire from the motor threaten gasoline leaking from the fuel tanks of the aircraft. While one of the soldiers manned a fire extinguisher Private Quarles and the other soldier began searching for survivors. In the darkness it was necessary to move both the fuselage and one of the wings to locate them. Working quickly in disregard of their personal safety the soldiers located and removed four unconscious survivors from the wreckage. The immediate, effective action by Private Quarles prevented the burning of the aircraft and made possible the rescue of its passengers, reflecting great credit on himself and the military service.