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 Earl A. Harris, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the Army Rescue Team, 25th Aviation Company, 25th Infantry Division, on 14 July 1959. While reconnoitering the Wahiawa Reservoir, Oahu, Hawaii, to recover the body of a drowning victim, the safety catch on the outboard motor malfunctioned and the sudden change in power threw the only other member of the boat crew into the water, leaving the motor unattended and causing the boat to circle erratically. Sergeant Harris immediately scrambled forward to shut the motor off or to lift it out of the water in order to prevent injury to the man overboard, when the bow of the boat struck the fallen man in the face rendering him unconscious and he ceased to swim and sank. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Harris immediately dived from the boat, swam over to where the man sank and plunged to a depth of 15 feet to recover the unconscious man. Despite the lack of visibility in the muddy water, Sergeant Harris managed to grab the victim by the hand and began to surface. Upon reaching the surface the man began to struggle violently in panic, kicking Sergeant Harris in the stomach and immobilizing him. Both men sank but Sergeant Harris tenaciously held onto the frightened, floundering soldier until assistance arrived. His strong determination, courageous actions and presence of mind in this emergency saved the life of a fellow soldier, and reflect distinct credit upon himself and the military service.