The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant [then Sergeant First Class] Edward J. Owens (ASN: RA-14204643), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 24 – 25 April 1951, near Taejon-ni, Korea, upon returning from a reconnaissance mission, Sergeant Owens discovered that a group of enemy soldiers had infiltrated the area between himself and his platoon. Since the platoon was already engaged in a fierce firefight with other enemy elements, Sergeant Owens single-handedly engaged the hostile troops. After exhausting his supply of ammunition, he began hurling hand grenades into the attacker’s ranks. His quick action accounted for ten enemy dead and an unknown number of wounded. Sergeant Owens’ gallantry, indomitable courage, and selfless determination reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.