The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Edwin J. Fraley (ASN: 6657517), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with an Armored Infantry Battalion of the 11th Armored Division, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. On 1 January 1945, Sergeant Fraley participated in the attack at ******. When his platoon was pinned down by intense, direct machine gun fire, Sergeant Fraley, disregarding the intense fire, advanced over open terrain to destroy the machine gun which was holding up the attack. Sergeant Fraley was killed while making this attack. The bravery with which Sergeant Fraley unhesitatingly sacrificed his life was an inspiration to his men, and his conduct was in accordance with the highest traditions of the United States Army.