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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Keith L. Groom, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 502d Aviation Company, 2d Armored Division, near Gatesville, Texas, on 4 October 1959. While performing duty in connection with a mission to rescue three men whose small boat had capsized on the flooded Leon River, Lieutenant Groom piloted a helicopter to the scene in an effort to evacuate the stranded victims. Under hazardous conditions of prevailing floodwaters, impaired visibility and severely limited landing area, he landed the aircraft approximately 400 feet from the site and found the men marooned in a partly submerged tree. After dismounting from the helicopter, Lieutenant Groom, in company with the aircraft crew, moved through a flood-swollen, debris-filled part of the river to a point about 75 feet from the stranded party. Without concern for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Groom tied a rope around his waist and swam through the turbulent, treacherous waters to the three victims. Utilizing the rope anchored to a tree, he then rescued one of the men and returned to assist in rescuing another. The strong determination and conscientious leadership which he displayed in this emergency insured that this rescue mission was successfully effected. Lieutenant Groom’s courageous and heroic actions are worthy of emulation, and reflect distinct credit upon himself and the military service.