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 Meredith W. Zook, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Battery A, 4th Missile Battalion (REDSTONE), 333rd Artillery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, while attached to the 3206th Test Group for the Redstone Missile System Winterization Project at Elgin Air Force Base, Florida, on 31 March 1958. As a member of the fueling crew, Private Zook was stationed on the fueling ladder near the fuel inlet valve of the REDSTONE missile, where approximately 1,700 gallons of fuel had been transferred to the missile fuel tank, when an explosion and fire occurred in the pumping compartment of the alcohol trailer. Private Zook dismounted the fueling ladder with the intent of rendering assistance to persons blown about by the explosion, and then, in complete disregard of his own life and personal safety, passed through the flames at the base of the missile, remounted the fueling ladder and closed the inlet valve on the missile. This decisive action stopped the flow of fuel from the missile to the ground and prevented the fire from reaching the missile fuel tank and causing a more serious conflagration and explosion which would undoubtedly have resulted in serious injury or loss of life to approximately 18 men in the immediate vicinity, as well as the loss of the missile and the multi-million dollar climate test facility in which the tests were being conducted. Private Zook’s prompt and courageous action, presence of mind and devotion to duty demonstrated a high degree of dedication to the service and to his country, and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the United States Army.