The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Edison L. Lester (MCSN: 283094), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Battery A, First Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Mariana Islands, 2 August 1944. When his machine-gun post was attacked by five of the enemy, Private First Class Lester engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand fight with sabers and pistols, aided in killing three of the Japanese and forced the other to withdraw. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Lester and the United States Naval Service.