The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Edward E. Ridgley (ASN: 0-5538573), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Ridgley distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 April 1968, while serving as Commanding Officer of Company C, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a reconnaissance in force mission in Kien Hoa Province, Vietnam. When Lieutenant Ridgley’s company and two other companies attempted to execute a beach landing, they came under intense hostile fire from enemy rockets, automatic weapons and small arms. When one of the other company commanders was wounded, Lieutenant Ridgley was the only remaining officer to assume command. Although now responsible for three companies of men, Lieutenant Ridgley courageously moved through the intense barrage to organize the men into an effective fighting unit. After expertly deploying his men into an effective fighting unit. After expertly deploying his men throughout the day-long battle, Lieutenant Ridgley consolidated the companies and formed a night defensive perimeter. When morning broke, Lieutenant Ridgley led his men on an attack against the Viet Cong bunker network and successfully forced the insurgents from the area. First Lieutenant Ridgley’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Edward Earl Ridgley (ASN: 0-5538573), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Ridgley distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 14 February 1968, while serving as Executive Officer of Company B, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, near the city of Can Tho. While the company was in heavy contact with a numerically superior enemy force, Lieutenant Ridgley repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire, running from vantage point to vantage point to maneuver the two separate platoons under his control. All the while in plain view of from 40 to 50 Viet Cong in a nearby treeline, Lieutenant Ridgley courageously supervised evacuation of the wounded to a place of safety. Completely disregarding his own safety, he crawled to a hazardous position beside his wounded radio-telephone operator. Despite the many bullets thudding into the ground around him, Lieutenant Ridgley remained in his position to neutralize the Viet Cong stronghold with accurate artillery fire. First Lieutenant Ridgley’s extraordinary heroism in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.