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 Fourth Class Paul F. Slater, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 89th Transportation Company (Medium Tank), 53rd Transportation Battalion (Truck), United states army Communications Zone, Europe, in the vicinity of Parancay, France, on 13 October 1958. Specialist Slater was operating one of three M-52 five-ton tractors and following the lead vehicle when a small civilian car threatened to collide head on with that vehicle while rounding a curve. The lead truck swerved sharply to the right to avoid hitting the car, landed into a four-feet ditch, overturned and burst into flames as one of its gasoline tanks exploded. Specialist Slater immediately stopped his vehicle, dismounted and ran to the overturned truck. Without regard for his own personal safety, he began to drag the pinned operator from the flaming truck. Despite the fact that the victim was far heavier than he, Specialist Slater managed to drag and move him to a point of safety some 50 yards away before the other gasoline tank on the burning vehicle exploded and burst into flame. He removed the man’s burning field jacket and placed him in the third truck which drove to the nearest medical facility. Specialist Slater’s prompt, heroic actions and determination saved the life of a fellow soldier, and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.