The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Thomas B Edwards, III (MCSN: 0-103468), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 August 1969, while moving through an open rice paddy during a company-sized search and clear operation in the Que Son-Hiep Duc Valley in Quang Nam Province, Company K came under intense mortar, small arms and automatic weapons fire from a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force. Quickly assessing the situation, First Lieutenant Edwards deployed his platoons into firing positions and launched an aggressive counterattack on the hostile unit. Finding his view of the battle area obscured by features of the terrain, he rushed to a piece of high ground well forward of his men and, surprising two North Vietnamese Army soldiers there, killed them before they could react to the situation. Heedless of the hostile rounds impacting around him, First Lieutenant Edwards resolutely maintained his dangerously exposed position as he directed the movement of his platoons against one enemy position after the other. During the ensuing fire fight, he skillfully coordinated a variety of supporting weapons, including artillery, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter gunships, with activities of his men until the North Vietnamese Army force was routed from its bunker complex leaving behind numerous casualties, rifles, items of equipment and several crew-served weapons. His heroic fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his Company’s mission. By his courage, aggressive leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, First Lieutenant Edwards upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.