The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Edmond John Landers (ASN: 0-5320185), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division on 15 May 1968. On this date, Captain Landers was serving as the Commander of his unit on a reconnaissance in force mission near the village of Thu Duc. While moving through an area of thick vegetation, the friendly force was suddenly subjected to intense machine gun and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior Viet Cong force. The insurgents occupied a series of well-concealed and strongly fortified bunkers and all approaches to the hostile positions were covered by integrated patterns of fire. At the time of the initial contact, Captain Landers courageously led his men forward through the intense hostile fire. He ignored the enemy rounds hitting all around him as he moved from position to position checking for casualties and adjusting friendly artillery fire upon the well-entrenched insurgents. Captain Landers then led an assault across an open rice paddy and from this forward position he was able to direct effective fire on four enemy bunkers. He directed evacuation helicopters into the area to insure that the wounded would be promptly extracted. Once again he reorganized his men and had them continue their assault. Moving through the area, destroying numerous enemy bunkers, Captain Landers suddenly spotted several Viet Cong about to fire from a pagoda. He shouted for his men to take cover but before he himself could reach safety, he was hit and mortally wounded. His selfless concern for the welfare of his men and gallant efforts undoubtedly saved numerous friendly lives and contributed significantly to the defeat of the large Viet Cong force. Captain Landers’ unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.