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 Private Edwin W. Winter (ASN: 39409262), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 27th Infantry Division on 21 November 1943. Private Winter was a Browning Automatic Rifleman with a company which was approaching a cleared area on Makin Island, when a strong Japanese patrol was observed moving through the dense brush on the opposite side of the clearing. Private Winter opened fire, forcing the enemy to take cover. He voluntarily left his cover, closing the shorter range to insure that his fire would be effective until his company could organize to attack. Though he was killed while attempting this, his company was given the time needed and the patrol was wiped out.