The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Edmund W. Hanlon (MCSN: 0-49703), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifle Platoon Commander of Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 28 November 1950. Fearlessly exposing himself to small arms, machine gun, grenade and mortar fire while his sector of the defense line was under attack by a numerically superior hostile force, Second Lieutenant Hanlon moved among his men to direct and supervise accurate and effective fire. When the exchange of fire became point-blank and the enemy penetrated a portion of his position, he boldly advanced along his platoon front, to the flanks and along the rear, encouraging his men to greater efforts. On one occasion, he personally engaged hostile troops with his sub-machine gun and succeeded in killing seventeen of the enemy and wounding many others. By his indomitable courage, inspiring leadership and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming opposition, Second Lieutenant Hanlon contributed materially to successful repelling of the hostile attack, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.