The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Edward M. Goodman (MCSN: 2221603), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-165), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 12 January 1969, Sergeant Goodman launched as an Serial Gunner aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the emergency mission of extracting an eight-man reconnaissance team which had been heavily engaged in combat for twenty-four hours with a numerically superior hostile force in a densely-jungled, mountainous area southwest of An Hoa. Undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of enemy fire directed against his aircraft when the pilot established a hover above the tall trees and lowered a cable ladder to the ground, he boldly delivered such accurate and effective suppressive machine gun fire that his CH-46 was able to maintain its dangerously exposed position above the beleaguered patrol. When a hand signal to the pilot was misunderstood and the helicopter prematurely lifted out of the hazardous area to proceed toward its base, the crew was informed that three members of the reconnaissance team were still on the ground. After the five Marines were disembarked at a nearby fire support base, the CH-46 returned to attempt the rescue of the three remaining reconnaissance team members. When the first approach was aborted because of the intensity of the hostile fire, Sergeant Goodman skillfully delivered accurate machine gun fire which enabled his helicopter to establish a hover above the pickup site. Fearlessly ignoring the enemy fire which severely damaged his CH-46, Sergeant Goodman remained in his dangerously exposed position to deliver fire until all of his machine gun ammunition was expended. Obtaining the crew chief’s rifle, he continued to provide effective suppressive fire until the three remaining Marines had climbed on the ladder and his helicopter had lifted out of the perilous area. By his courage, superior professionalism and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Sergeant Goodman was instrumental in saving the lives of eight Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.