Decatur man to receive U.S. Army’s Soldier’s Medal

DECATUR — U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis will present a Decatur man with the U.S. Army’s Soldier’s Medal he earned nearly 70 years ago.

Sgt. Fred Stolley will receive the award Thursday. The medal is the highest honor that a member of the U.S. Armed Forces can receive for a heroic action in a non-combat situation.

Stolley will be recognized for rescuing an Army private from drowning in August 1944 in Scotland. Stolley jumped into a tank and was able to get the private out of the container. Stolley was recognized with the award in 1945 but never received the actual medal.