The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Edward Paul Kowskie (MCSN: 248880), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with an antitank unit attached to the FIRST Marine Division during combat with enemy Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on December 27, 1943. When hostile forces attempted to break through a position on his flank as he led his antitank crew without organic weapons or machine guns into the front lines, Sergeant Kowskie unhesitatingly rushed to the threatened area, leading his section through intense enemy opposition to a firing point only twenty-five yards from a hostile gun emplacement. Courageously maintaining his exposed position, he skillfully directed the fire of his men until fatally injured by an enemy grenade. Sergeant Kowskie’s heroic initiative and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.