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 William G. Pierce, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 60th Field Hospital, Fort Lewis, Washington, at Tacoma, Washington, on 27 May 1959. Upon being informed by a group of children that a little girl had fallen from the old Tacoma Dock, Tacoma, Washington, without hesitation or concern for his own safety and being completely unfamiliar with the depth and possible undercurrents, Sergeant Pierce removed his spectacles without which he was only 20/400 vision, and dived into the water under the peer to rescue the victim. In the approaching darkness he was forced to rise to the surface and dive a total of three times to a depth of between 10 and 15 feet in murky water with a strong outgoing tide, before the submerged and unconscious victim was finally located. He then swam the victim to a floating dock where a fellow soldier lifted the child up and onto the float. Sergeant Pierce then administered artificial respiration until police and fire department personnel arrived. Sergeant Pierce’s prompt and courageous action saved the little girl from drowning, and reflects distinct credit upon himself and the military service.