The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Edward G. Killian (MCSN: 461431), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, the night of 25-26 July 1944. Making a heroic stand with three wounded comrades when his automatic rifle position was cut off during a determined hostile counterattack, Private First Class Killian observed an enemy force led by an officer advancing to attack his position and, opening fire on the hostile group, succeeded in killing at least ten of the enemy and in wounding their officer. When the wounded officer sprang on him unexpectedly as he reloaded his gun, Private First Class Killian boldly engaged him in a bitter struggle and, although he suffered a painful cut on the wrist, killed the Japanese officer with the butt of his rifle. After assisting the three wounded Marines to a place of safety at daybreak, he voluntarily participated in a counterattack which restored the lines of his company. His courage, initiative and unselfish devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.