The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Edward M. Burton, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary devotion to duty in the performance of outstanding services as a member of a U.S. Naval Reconnaissance Party in action against enemy forces near Del-de-Bretagne, France, on 2 August 1944. The Reconnaissance Party of which Lieutenant Burton was a member, while en route to a seacoast town in lower Brittany, was surprised and ambushed by a greatly superior force of Germans. In a short time enemy fire had pinned down the Naval party, killed their commanding officer, and forced them to take defensive and delaying action until help could be summoned. During this period of defensive action, which lasted approximately three hours, Lieutenant Burton assumed command, organizing counter-fire and escape measures that were vital to the protection of many lives and the final safe evacuation of wounded and surviving personnel. Throughout the entire action his fearless and aggressive leadership and quick thinking, under constant enemy fire and with utter disregard for his own life, were in great measure responsible for the successful counter-action and withdrawal of the Naval Unit. The gallantry and courageous devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Burton on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.