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 Howard R. Petroff, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company A, 2d Medium Tank Battalion (Patton), 85th armor, 2d Armored Division, on 10 September 1959 at Fort Hood, Texas. Sergeant Petroff was performing duty as Instructor-Coach and engaged in instructing personnel in handling live M-26 fragmentary and grenades when a trainee under his instruction executed a toss which sent an activated grenade straight into the air and back to the edge of the throwing pit. Realizing the immediate danger involved, Sergeant Petroff quickly shouted a warning to all personnel in the area, leapt forward and swept the live grenade out into the impact area, pushed the trainee into the grenade sump and fell over him just as the grenade exploded approximately four feet from the edge of the pit. The quick presence of mind, prompt heroic actions and unselfish courage displayed by Sergeant Petroff in this sudden emergency saved his fellow soldier from death or serious injury, and reflect the utmost credit on himself in the military service..