The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Edward J. McGee (MCSN: 0-7522), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Plane and Executive Officer of Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 16 August 1951. Leading a fifteen-plane strike against vital railroad and highway bridges linking the key supply center of Wonsan with the enemy’s rail and highway network supplying troops along the entire eastern front, Major McGee skillfully located his objective despite intense hostile fighter opposition and extremely adverse weather conditions and, during his initial run on the target, personally scored a direct hit on a railroad bridge with a 1,000-pound bomb. Although his plane sustained numerous hits during the intensive action, he carried out repeated low-level strafing and rocket runs on adjacent enemy gun positions to diver the antiaircraft fire from the remainder of his flight, destroying one emplacement, silencing several others and enabling the striking force to complete the destruction of two vital bridges. By his courageous leadership, outstanding ability as an airman and unswerving devotion to duty, Major McGee was greatly instrumental in dealing a damaging blow to the enemy’s transportation facilities and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.