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 Starr A. Palmer, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Battery A, 217th Field Artillery Missile Battalion, on the night of 17 November 1959, near Langen, Germany. Sergeant Palmer was performing duty as a driver in a convoy when he noticed a huge flame at an intersection which he had just passed. Quickly determining that it was an accident involving a German civilian automobile and the Fire Control and Test Truck which was a part of his convoy, he promptly brought his vehicle to a halt, dismounted and proceeded immediately to the scene with a fire extinguisher. Finding the Fire Control and Test Truck engulfed in flames, and realizing it’s immense value and importance to his unit, Sergeant Palmer, unhesitatingly and without concern for his own personal safety, moved in between the two burning vehicles and directed his fire extinguisher on the flames around the red-hot metal of the burning gas tank of the Government vehicle. When his extinguisher was exhausted, voluntarily and unassisted, he entered the back of the still blazing van and secured another, despite the imminent possibility of an explosion at any time, and continued to combat the fire until the flames were reduced and other personal assisted in bringing it under control. His bold leadership, prompt courage, and unselfish actions were instrumental in successfully containing the fire until it was put out with only slight damage to the valuable Government property and without personnel loss or injury. Sergeant Palmer’s determined and your Roque efforts in this sudden emergency are worthy of emulation, and reflect distinct credit upon himself and a military service.