The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Edwin G. Heister (ASN: US-54046199), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Korea. During the late evening hours of 8 August 1952 as elements of Company L were assaulting enemy-held positions near Chok-Ro-ri, Korea, they were subjected to intense enemy mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire. Observing a comrade fall wounded, Private Heister, a rifleman, unhesitatingly moved to his position and, taking the wounded man’s automatic weapon, placed a heavy volume of fire on the hostile positions. After expending all of his ammunition, Private Heister then placed the wounded man on his back and fearlessly carried him down the narrow, fire-swept path to a point from which he could be evacuated. With complete disregard for his own safety, Private Heister again returned through the withering enemy fire to search for and aid other wounded men. On the following morning he voluntarily accompanied a screening patrol back to the scene of the action to recover the bodies of stricken comrades. Private Heister’s outstanding gallantry and unselfish devotion to his fellow soldiers reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.