The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Edward J. Cuff, Jr. (MCSN: 548932), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Demolitions Man of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 30 May 1945. When his company was pinned down by extremely heavy hostile automatic fire during an attack on a heavily defended enemy position in the Naha-Shuri sector, Private First Class Cuff realized the seriousness of the situation and unhesitatingly ran forward through the intense enemy fire to assault single-handedly a hostile machine gun position which had pinned down the left flank of the company. Although armed only with grenades he persisted in his efforts until he succeeded in destroying the machine gun and by his courageous efforts enabled the company to advance and seize the objective. His indomitable fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.