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 Ewin O. Rigsby, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company D, 3d Medium Tank Battalion, 37th Armor, at the Wildflecken Training Area, Wildflecken, Germany on 14 July 1959. While his unit was engaged in a training mission involving the firing of the Tank Copola-Mounted .50 Caliber Machine Gun and the platoon commander was arranging personnel in an area approximately fifty yards from the tank parking area, one tank fully loaded with gasoline and ammunition became disengaged from the park position and began to roll uncontrolled down a hill. Without hesitation or concern for his own personal safety Private Rigsby ran after the tank, overtook the vehicle, climbed over the rear deck containing jettison racks which enclosed four fifty-five-gallon drums and crawled to the driver’s compartment. He squirmed past the depressed gun tube entered and immediately stopped the tank from rolling over the crest of the hill and plunging into the valley below. The prompt action, presence of mind and selfless courage displayed by Private Grigsby averted a possible loss of life and valuable government property and reflect great credit upon himself.