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 P. Behne (ASN: 0-2103674), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On the afternoon of 20 September 1952, Lieutenant Behne’s platoon was assigned the mission of attacking a heavily defended position on Kelly Hill in the vicinity of Koyang-dae, Korea. Despite intensive enemy mortar barrages and machine gun fire, Lieutenant Behne led his platoon up the fire swept slopes towards the hostile trenches. Realizing the danger to his men who were halted in an extremely exposed and untenable position, Lieutenant Behne, with complete disregard for his personal safety, started the assault on the trenches. As a result of his inspirational actions, his men, in hand-to-hand combat, drove the enemy from the trenches, mortally wounding many of the foe. Leading a small group, he then moved toward the final enemy-held position on the knob of the hill. Observers noted a large hostile force of two groups closing in on Lieutenant Behne’s platoon from both flanks and ordered his immediate return to safety. After insuring that all his wounded were evacuated, Lieutenant Behne covered the retrograde movement of his men until the entire group had successfully disengaged. In the final moments of the battle, Lieutenant Behne, leaving seconds before the enemy closed in on his position, mortally wounded two attacking enemy soldiers. Lieutenant Behne’s outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.