The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Edgar H. Gowan (ASN: 14073918), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the FIFTH Army, on 26 October 1944, in the vicinity of Mt. Plano, Italy. When the enemy launched a fierce assault against an adjacent platoon, Staff Sergeant Gowan quickly organized his men in a new position to deliver effective fire upon the attacking Germans. Braving intense artillery, mortar and small arms fire, he moved around his new position, directing the fire of his platoon so effectively that the enemy was halted. During the fire fight which developed, Staff Sergeant Gowan’s marksmanship accounted for eight Germans killed and five wounded. Realizing the weakened condition of the enemy, he led an attack which forced the enemy to withdraw and enabled the reoccupation of a large part of the position which the enemy had taken. Then, seeing a seriously wounded soldier lying seventy-five yards from his hole, Staff Sergeant Gowan crawled through deadly mortar and small arms fire to remove the casualty to a place of safety. Continuing the attack, Staff Sergeant Gowan boldly led the remaining men of his platoon in an effort to regain forward position, but was mortally wounded. Staff Sergeant Gowan’s heroic performance and his indomitable courage in the face of heavy enemy fire aided in preventing an enemy breakthrough which would have jeopardized the entire position. Staff Sergeant Gowan’s gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.