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 Master Sergeant Edward L. Hodges, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Detachment 1, United States Army Alaska Communication System, Anchorage, Alaska, on 13 September 1959. Sergeant Hodges was a passenger on a boat cruising on Lake Bennett, British Columbia, when the craft capsized, throwing all six passengers into the icy water. Observing that one member of the party had been stunned by a blow on the head as the boat overturned, and was floating away from the boat, Sergeant Hodges immediately and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, swam out to rescue the victim. As the drifting non-swimmer regained consciousness, she panicked and dragged Sergeant Hodges under the water several times before he was able to get her back to the boat. Despite the fact that he was in a state of complete exhaustion and at a peril to the safety of his own life, Sergeant Hodges tenaciously held on to the drowning woman and remain to assist her by preventing her from slipping back into the chilly glacier-fed Lake. Sergeant Hodges’ unselfish determination, strong courage, and heroic actions undoubtedly saved the victim from drowning, and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.