The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Edwin C. Cooke (MCSN: 946613), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving in a platoon of Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 10 May 1945. Learning that a comrade had been wounded and left in an open fire swept area two hundred yards to the front when his unit withdrew to a less exposed position, Private First Class Cooke unhesitatingly risked his life in a valiant attempt to affect a rescue. Braving a shattering barrage of mortar and machine gun cross fire he unhesitatingly made his way back to the scene of the action and finding the helpless Marine, carried his through the blistering shell fire to a place of safety. By his daring initiative, outstanding fortitude and grave concern for the safety of another, Private First Class Cooke saved the life of a man who otherwise might have perished and his selfless conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.