The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Edward A. Devlin, Jr. (ASN: 0-1297171), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 24th Infantry Division on Leyte, Philippine Islands, during the period 26 October 1944 to 5 November 1944. Lieutenant Devlin was a member of a regiment that advanced some thirty miles against enemy opposition from the vicinity of Palo to Pinamopoan. The enemy, fighting a bitter retrograde action, heavily mined the route of advance. Lieutenant Devlin, company Executive Officer, volunteered to remove those mines. Accompanied by one non-commissioned officer, he disarmed over two hundred anti-tank mines and innumerable anti-personnel mines of all types frequently being under heavy hostile automatic and small arms fire while so doing. On 27 October 1944, under machine gun fire, he removed a demolition arrangement located under an ammunition dump. This charge was activated by an intricate system of pull wires and pressure release firing devices, calling for extraordinary coolness and a thorough knowledge of enemy equipment. That same day, he voluntarily proceeded in advance of the regiment through enemy occupied territory and, although again subjected to enemy small arms fire, disarmed many mines which could have seriously hampered the regimental advance. During the last few days of the campaign he was stricken with a high fever, but repeatedly ignored requests of his regimental commander to be hospitalized, and continued to perform his hazardous duties. Lieutenant Devlin’s voluntary and heroic actions, with complete disregard for his personal safety, greatly facilitated the advance of his regiment and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Military Service.