Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Gary Stephen Edwards (ASN: RA-16792577), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 January 1967. Specialist Fourth Class Edwards was serving as a rifleman with the Reconnaissance Platoon of the 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, which was conducting a search and destroy mission in Binh Dinh Province. Moving up a hill through dense foliage, the platoon made contact with a North Vietnamese force occupying fortified positions. During the course of the battle, he platoon began to receive an intense volume of automatic weapons fire from a concealed machine gun to their front. Specialist Fourth Class Edwards located the gun and immediately began an assault on this position. In the initial moments of his attack, Specialist Fourth Class Edwards was wounded. Refusing to be evacuated to safety, he maintained his assault on the position using white phosphorous and fragmentation grenades. Just as he succeeded in destroying the enemy machine gun position, he was fatally wounded. He moved in the face of death with utter disregard for his own safety and with fierce determination. Specialist Four Edwards’ outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Awards Received