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 Private Fred E. Zimmer, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 27 December 1959. Private Zimmer and a companion were traveling by automobile along Wilbur Boulevard, Poughkeepsie, New York, when they saw a child in the road crying for help. They stopped and followed the child down the hill to Bulls Pond where they heard the screams of two children who had fallen through the ice while skating. Private Zimmer and his companion partly walked and then crawled on the cracking ice to where the drowning children were bobbing up and down in the icy water. While his companion held his feet, Private Zimmer went into the water headfirst and managed to pull the children from the water and to safety. His courageous and unselfish action in risking his life in this hazardous situation undoubtedly saved the children from death by drowning, and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.