The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Edward J. Sims (ASN: 0-1286021), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 20 September 1944, near ****, Holland. Having crossed the Waal River with the initial assault wave, First Lieutenant Sims courageously led his platoon over 600 yards of open terrain, knocking out each strongpoint, one by one until he reached the Northern end of the vital railway bridge. Here he established a base of fire with automatic weapons and fearlessly charged the bridge, killing thirty enemy and trapping over two hundred. Using tracer bullets, First Lieutenant Sims directed fire on the enemy, killing many more and forcing the rest to surrender or jump into the turbulent river. First Lieutenant Sims’ leadership and aggressiveness in the face of fanatical resistance contributed materially to the success of the operation and was in keeping with the highest standards of the United States Airborne Forces.