The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Edward Walter Toaspern, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighting Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Kure Harbor, Japan, on July 24, 1945. Participating in a fighter strike against major elements of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Toaspern flew through heavy antiaircraft fire to press home a dive bombing attack on a hostile battleship, thereby contributing materially to the final destruction of the enemy warship. His skilled airmanship and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Edward Walter Toaspern, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighting Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, September 13, 1944. Participating in a daring strike against hostile forces, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Toaspern pressed home vigorous, low-altitude attacks through antiaircraft fire and in the face of a vastly superior number of enemy planes to shoot down two aircraft and to inflict damage on two more. His skilled airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Edward Walter Toaspern, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighting Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, September 21, 1944. Participating in a daring fighter sweep against an enemy-held airfield, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Toaspern pressed home a furious, low-altitude strafing run to inflict damage on a grounded aircraft. Fighting his plane with skill and courage, he continued his relentless attack and blasted two Japanese planes from the sky. His superb airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service