The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Edward J. Andel (MCSN: 908458), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company I, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 21 May 1945. When intense hostile machine gun fire halted the advancement of two rifle squads he was leading in an attack against heavily-defended enemy positions, Private First Class Andel directed his men to covered areas and then, single-handedly working his way forward through hostile fire, attacked and destroyed the Japanese machine gun fortification and killed the defenders who were hampering his squads’ advancement. His outstanding courage, leadership and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.