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 Fifth Class Jarvis E. Peele, 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, Specialist Peele served as crew chief of a helicopter utilized to evacuate the stranded victims. Despite conditions of prevailing floodwaters, impaired visibility and severely limited landing space, the aircraft was landed some 400 feet from the site, and the men were found marooned in a partly submerged tree. After dismounting from the helicopter, Specialist Peele, 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 where a rope used to construct a safety line was anchored on the bank by the crew and secured to the tree supporting the victims. Without concern for his own personal safety, Specialist Peele swam out through the turbulent, treacherous waters, rescued one of the men and returned to assist in the rescue of another. The strong determination and conscientious leadership which he displayed in this emergency insured that this rescue mission was successfully effected. Specialist Peele’s courageous and heroic actions are worthy of emulation, and reflect distinct credit upon himself and the military service.