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 First Class Chester Piotrowski, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy heroism while serving as a member of Battery D, 1st Missile Battalion (NIKE_HERCULES), 65th Artillery, Naha Air Base, Okinawa on 26 May 1959. Upon being informed of a fire which developed during a joining operation of the warhead of a Nike-Hercules missile, Sergeant Piotrowski proceeded immediately to the launcher area to assist in an investigation. After reporting the incident to proper authority, he returned without delay to the exclusion site where the missile was being prepared. Together with three other members of the command, Sergeant Piotrowski assisted in removing the hatch covers and was met by thick billowing smoke from the access doors, making it difficult to locate the source of the fire inside. After discovering the fire, despite great danger of a possible detonation of the warhead, he assisted in disconnecting, extinguishing, and removing a burning cable, and eliminated the grave threat to the safety of all personnel in the area. Sergeant Piotrowski’s prompt actions, unselfish concern for his own personal safety, and calm presence of mind in this spontaneous emergency averted possible injury to personnel and damage to Government property and material, reflecting the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.