The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Edwin W. Ayers (ASN: 0887392), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with 197th Field Artillery Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 12 August 1944, in France. Second Lieutenant Ayers was serving as a Forward Observer adjusting artillery fires in direct support of an infantry assault team. At the extreme risk of his life, Second Lieutenant Ayers voluntarily advanced with the most forward of the infantry elements in order to deliver effective fires. Though continually exposed to heavy enemy fire, he calmly remained in this exposed position from which he accurately directed deadly artillery fire on the enemy. The outstanding courage and determined aggressiveness displayed by this devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on Second Lieutenant Ayers and the United States Army.