The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Edwin L. Masters, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 8 October 1969, while serving as a Squad Leader with Company E, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date he and his squad were on a river patrol north of the Ben Luc bridge. Suddenly Sergeant Masters observed movement on the eastern shore and went in to investigate. Approximately fifteen meters from the shore, the boat came under intense fire from a well-concealed Viet Cong element. Unhesitatingly, he opened fire on the enemy and began directing the return fire of his squad. When three Viet Cong emerged from the darkness firing rifles and throwing hand grenades at the boat, he stood up and eliminated them with an accurate burst from his automatic weapon. Sergeant Masters’ actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.