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 Joseph F. Bandy, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the Transportation Service Company, United States Army Supply and Maintenance Center, Alaska, on 13 June 1959. While on a camping trip near Palmer, Alaska, Specialist Bandy observed a car rolling backward into Falk Lake with a woman running and screaming for help alongside it. The woman slipped and fell, and the car plunged uncontrolled into deep water and sank almost out of sight with two small children inside. Without hesitation or concern for his own personal safety, and despite the danger of possibly being pulled under by the sunken automobile, Specialist Bandy jumped fully clad into the lake, swam out to the submerge car, dived below the surface of the water and, together with a fellow soldier, rescued the two children and brought them safely to shore to their mother. The quick action, personal resourcefulness and unselfish courage displayed by Specialist Bandy in this sudden emergency are worthy of emulation, and reflect distinct credit on himself and the military service.