The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Edwin L. Webb (ASN: 39334271), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 4 March 1945, near Melch, France. On 4 March 1945, Private Webb was a member of a 3-man patrol which had volunteered to make a daylight reconnaissance of the town of Melch, then held by the enemy. The patrol, after fighting and maneuvering past several enemy automatic weapons and groups of enemy riflemen, reached a position from which direct and close observation of Melch was possible. During their return, Private Webb and his two companions killed one enemy rifleman who fired on them, and later killed one of two riflemen who attacked them from a reinforced dugout. Shortly afterward, the patrol became engaged in a sharp fire fight in which one member of the patrol, Private First Class Hammack, was wounded by enemy rifle fire. Realizing the importance of the information the patrol had obtained, Private Webb directed the other uninjured member of the patrol to return, while Private Webb covered his withdrawal and remained to assist the wounded man. When last seen, Private Webb was standing over Private First Class Hammack doggedly returning the enemy fire with his rifle. By his gallantry and devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death or capture, Private Webb made possible the receipt of valuable information and the successful completion of the mission for which he had volunteered.