The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Royce E. Eddleman (ASN: 12845090), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam, on 21 April 1968. Specialist Four Eddleman distinguished himself while serving on a combat operation near Gia Le, Republic of Vietnam. On that date, his company became heavily engaged with an undetermined size Viet Cong force firing from well-concealed and fortified positions. In the initial burst of small arms and automatic weapons fire, one member of the element was wounded and lay exposed to the hail of hostile fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Specialist Eddleman, the Radio-Telephone Operator for the platoon, crawled through the murderous hail of enemy fire and dragged his wounded comrade to a more tenable location for evacuation. After the last of the wounded were evacuated, the platoon began moving back to the area of the initial contact when they were hit by an intense volume of automatic weapons fire from their front and right and left flanks, resulting in numerous casualties. Again, without hesitation, Specialist Four Eddleman rushed to the aid of another wounded trooper, only to be mortally wounded by the intense volume of fire. His actions so greatly inspired the members of the platoon that they were able to continue on their mission successfully. Specialist Four Eddleman’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.