The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Edward V. McDermott, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Platoon Sergeant, Fourth Platoon, Second Force Reconnaissance Company, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II on 3 January 2005. While conducting a limited-scale raid on a High Value Target deep inside insurgent-controlled territory, the assault element came under intense fire from small arms and hand grenades after entering the first room of the house and attempting to secure the second room. With one Marine killed in the second room, the assault element pulled back to the first room, set up a barricade, and attempted to reorganize for a second assault. Gunnery Sergeant McDermott moved forward with his Platoon Commander to the barricaded position, and with no regard for his personal safety, entered the darkened second room along with his Platoon Commander and another Marine. They immediately engaged multiple insurgents in an attempt to recover the dead Marine and eliminate the threat to the assault element. While the insurgents focused their fire on the Platoon Commander, Gunnery Sergeant McDermott killed at least four insurgents at a distance of less than ten feet. With the Platoon Commander seriously wounded, Gunnery Sergeant McDermott immediately took charge and continued to lead the platoon in the close in fight to clear the remainder of the house until he was ultimately wounded by an insurgent fragmentation grenade. Seriously injured, he was able to come out of the house on his own and gave guidance to the team leaders until it was time for him to be medically evacuated. Gunnery Sergeant McDermott’s bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.