The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Edward K. Apo, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, at Plei Djereng, Republic of Vietnam, on 16 February 1967. In heavy contact with enemy forces, Sergeant Apo’s company was pinned down by machine gun fire. Sergeant Apo, who was in command of the weapons squad of the second platoon, on his own initiative maneuvered his machineguns forward. He directed one gun to rake the tree tops, while the other gun engaged the enemy machinegun, which was firing from a good position of defilade. The friendly fire attenuated the sniper fire but failed to knock out the enemy weapon in defilade. Despite the fact that this gun had grazing fire over the entire area, Sergeant Apo moved forward, through a hail of enemy fire, and destroyed the enemy gun from a few yards distance with well-placed hand grenades. This intrepid action broke the enemy’s resistance and allowed for the swift link-up and relief of Company A, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry. Sergeant Apo’s conduct was above and beyond the call of duty and reflects great credit on himself and the United States Army.