The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Edward F. Simpson, Jr. (MCSN: 553867), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 14 June 1945. When fire from an enemy-occupied cave killed two Marines and wounded a third, Private First Class Simpson voluntarily, and on his own initiative, crawled forward to the bodies which lay in complete view of the enemy and, assisted by another, dragged the wounded man to safety. Despite the personal risk involved, he crept to the entrance of the cave twice more and assisted in recovering the bodies of the other two Marines. His unselfishness and courage in risking his life to save that of another reflect great credit upon Private First Class Simpson and the United States Naval Service.