The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Edward I. Eiland (MCSN: 0-17239), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Communications Officer of the Second Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 15 June 1944. Although painfully wounded shortly after landing, First Lieutenant Eiland refused evacuation and, in the face of intense enemy fire, carried a heavy radio set over 300 yards to the battalion command post. Upon arriving at the post, he began coordination of the means of signal communication within the battalion and, when a radio operator was wounded, operated the set himself until a relief could be obtained. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Eiland and the United States Naval Service.