The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Colonel Merritt Austin Edson (MCSN: 0-257), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the FIRST Marine Raider Battalion, with Parachute Battalion attached, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on the night of 13 and 14 September 1942. After the airfield on Guadalcanal had been seized from the enemy on 8 August, Colonel Edson, with a force of 800 men, was assigned to the occupation and defense of a ridge dominating the jungle on either side of the airport. Facing a formidable Japanese attack which, augmented by infiltration, had crashed through our front lines, he, by skillful handling of his troops, successfully withdrew his forward units to a reserve line with minimum casualties. When the enemy, in a subsequent series of violent assaults, engaged our force in desperate hand-to-hand combat with bayonets, rifles, pistols, grenades, and knives, Colonel Edson, although continuously exposed to hostile fire throughout the night, personally directed defense of the reserve position against a fanatical foe of greatly superior numbers. By his astute leadership and gallant devotion to duty, he enabled his men, despite severe losses, to cling tenaciously to their position on the vital ridge, thereby retaining command not only of the Guadalcanal airfield, but also of the 1st Division’s entire offensive installations in the surrounding area.
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Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelBatallion:
1st Marine Raider BattalionAction Date:
August 7 – 9, 1942
Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 1113 (February 25, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Colonel Merritt Austin Edson (MCSN: 0-257), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as Commanding Officer of the Tulagi Combat Group during the landing assault and seizure of enemy Japanese-held Tulagi Island, British Solomon Islands, 7 to 9 August 1942. In personal command of the FIRST Marine Raider Battalion during the initial operation, Colonel Edson advanced the attack of his Battalion and its supporting units with suck skill, courage and aggressiveness that he was an inspiration to the entire Combat Group and was directly responsible for the capture of Tulagi Island. His gallant conduct throughout this hazardous action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainRegiment:
2d Marine Brigade (Nicaragua)Action Date:
August 7, 1928
Authority – USMC Communiqu: 0257-1-3 (3 December 1928)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Merritt Austin Edson (MCSN: 0-257), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism on 7 August 1928, while in command of a Marine patrol on the Coco River, Nicaragua, en route to Poteca. Captain Edson upon encountering a force of bandits entrenched upon both sides of the river, personally led his advance guard against the enemy, engaging in hand-to-hand conflict with them, and by his exhibition of coolness, intrepidity, and dash, so inspired his men that the superior force of bandits were driven from their prepared position, and severe losses inflicted upon them.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
2d Marine DivisionAction Date:
June 15 – August 1, 1944
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 6892The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Merritt Austin Edson (MCSN: 0-257), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Assistant Commander of the SECOND Marine Division during operations against enemy Japanese forces on the Islands of Saipan and Tinian in the Marianas group, from 15 June to 1 August 1944. Responsible for the supervision and training of the SECOND Marine Division, Brigadier General Edson brought the regiments of his fighting organization to a high state of combat readiness in preparation for the Marianas Campaign. Landing at Saipan in the early afternoon of 15 June, he moved his men in under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire, established communications with elements ashore and vigilantly maintained direct contact until the establishment of the Division Command Post ashore. Cool and courageous, he repeatedly risked his life to visit the front line units, rallying his men and providing expert tactical advice during critical stages of the battle as the Second Division forces pushed relentlessly against fanatic Japanese resistance to render valiant service during the assault and aid in the ultimate capture of Saipan on 9 July. Participating in the invasion of Tinian on 24 July, Brigadier General Edson again demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, military acumen and personal valor during the aggressive, sustained drive which resulted in the seizure of this second fiercely defended enemy base in the strategically important Marianas Group on 1 August 1944. Stouthearted and indomitable, Brigadier General Edson contributes substantially to the success of our offensive operations in the Pacific Theater and, his brilliant combat skill, unfailing judgment and iron determination in the face of tremendous opposition reflect the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Heroes U.S. Marine Corps, 1861 – 1955: Jane BlakeneyThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Merritt Austin Edson (MCSN: 0-257), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff of the SECOND Marine Division prior to and during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, from 20 to 28 November 1943. Schooled by grim experience in the art of countering Japanese strategy, Colonel Edson directed his division staff in a meticulous intelligence study of Tarawa Atoll, subsequently preparing a carefully evaluated estimate of the situation upon which the Commanding General based his decision to attack on the North Coast. Landing at Betio on D-Day plus-1, he quickly established an advance command post and, remaining ashore throughout the Tarawa Campaign, effected sound solutions to direct problems encountered during critical stages of the operation and prepared tactical plans for the final attack and for clearing the entire Atoll of Japanese positions when the area should be secured. By his astute military acumen, brilliant professional skill and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of fanatic opposition, Colonel Edson contributed essentially to the assault and capture of this important Japanese base and his conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
August 26, 1944 – June 30, 1945
Heroes U.S. Marine Corps, 1861 – 1955: Jane BlakeneyThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Merritt Austin Edson (MCSN: 0-257), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 26 August 1944 to 30 June 1945, as Deputy Chief of Staff and as Chief of Staff for the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. Brigadier General Edson performed outstanding service by assisting the Commanding General in formulating all general policies of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, including those relating to the amphibious forces, aircraft, supply service, and those requiring cooperation with the United States Army and Navy forces. His estimates of the situation, plans and orders for the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, and measures taken to insure the readiness of combat units were of incalculable benefit in prompting the efficiency of that organization. His coordination of the supply services with combat units of the Fleet Marine Force was skillfully and successfully accomplished. His constant studies of matters pertaining to types of equipment, weapons, ammunition and organization raised the combat effectiveness of the Fleet Marine Force units. His untiring efforts and thorough understanding of the strategic, tactical and logistic situations, and his energetic direction of all subordinate staff officers and unit commanders contributed substantially to the successful prosecution of the war against the Japanese enemy. His leadership and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.