The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Ted Willis Edwards (MCSN: 0-100215), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Artillery Forward Observer with Company K, Third Battalion, First Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 2 February 1968 during Operation SALILNE, Second Lieutenant Edwards’ company had established a night defensive position east of the village of Lam Xuan in Quang Tri Province when it was attacked by a battalion-size North Vietnamese Army forcer. Reacting instantly, he called in pre-planned defensive artillery fire missions on the enemy, repeatedly disregarding his own safety as he moved to vantage points along the defensive perimeter. Observing and skillfully adjusting accurate fire from three separate artillery batteries, he successfully halted the enemy’s advance along one sector of the defensive lines and blocked their retreat to the west. On several occasions throughout the night, he boldly adjusted artillery fire on North Vietnamese soldiers who had advanced to within a few meters of his unit’s position, successfully preventing them from penetrating the perimeter. Shouting encouragement to his men, he steadfastly remained on the front lines, even after the arrival of reinforcements at dawn, and subsequently was mortally wounded by enemy rifle fire as he directed a fire mission. His heroic actions were instrumental in the defeat of the hostile force and enabled his company to kill 144 of the enemy. By his exceptional professionalism, bold initiative and loyal devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Edwards upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.