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 Captain (Air Corps) Edward V. Baranski (ASN: 0-422520), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 2677th Regiment, Office of Strategic Services, in action against the enemy in Czechoslovakia, from 7 October to 9 December 1944. With full knowledge of the extreme hazards involved, Captain Baranski volunteered for an intelligence mission in to the heart of enemy-held Czechoslovakia. As Chief of a sub-detachment of a liaison and intelligence team which operated for many weeks in close association with Czechoslovak resistance forces, Captain Baranski had as a specific mission the gathering of secret intelligence on enemy troops and troop movements on an important sector of the Czechoslovak front. Until deterioration of the fighting front in Czechoslovakia rendered further operations impracticable, Captain Baranski carried on with great skill and intrepidity the task assigned to him, under conditions of utmost peril and hardship. These activities were made particularly hazardous by the constant peril of enemy patrols and increasing pressure of enemy forces. On 9 September 1944, in an enemy patrol action Captain Baranski was captured by German Forces, and later reports indicated he was subsequently executed in a German prison camp. During the eight weeks he had completed behind enemy lined before being captured, Captain Baranski was instrumental in the collection of information of great value to the Allied effort. His heroic performance of duty at the cost of his own life reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.