The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Edward V. Eberhardt (MCSN: 2163646), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam, on 16 May 1967. During Operation PRAIRIE IV, Corporal Eberhardt’s company was assigned the mission of relieving a besieged unit surrounded by a large North Vietnamese Army force in the vicinity of Cam Lo, Quang Tri Province. As the unit approached the area under intense enemy fire, he observed one Marine severely wounded by a grenade thrown by an enemy soldier positioned in dense underbrush within twenty meters of the company. Reacting instantly, Corporal Eberhardt jumped into the heavy brush directly on top of the enemy soldier in an attempt to silence him. Although wounded in the right shoulder during a burst of fire from the enemy soldier’s automatic weapon, Corporal Eberhardt returned to his unit, obtained the assistance of a companion and dauntlessly re-entered the dense brush. With complete disregard for his painful wound, he boldly maneuvered to within one meter of the enemy soldier and killed him. Throughout his valiant performance, Corporal Eberhardt was continuously exposed to enemy automatic weapons fire from his flank. His daring and heroic actions were instrumental in repulsing the enemy and inspired all who observed him. By his aggressive leadership, bold initiative and unfailing devotion to duty, Corporal Eberhardt upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.