The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Edward Joseph Lloyd (MCSN: 0-88909), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company G, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, on 22 February 1966 during Operation DOUBLE EAGLE II in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a combat patrol mission, Lieutenant Lloyd’s platoon made contact with an estimated platoon of insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces. Deadly, accurate enemy automatic weapons fire pinned down the patrol headquarters, critically wounding three of the headquarters personnel. Ignoring his own safety, Lieutenant Lloyd dashed through the intense fire to his lead elements, directed their fire on the enemy positions, and ordered an immediate assault. Moving through the deadly enemy fire again, he positioned his machine gun and rocket squads and skillfully directed their fire to support the assaulting unit. This aggressive action so stunned the enemy that they were unable to maintain their defensive positions and withdrew to less favorable terrain. Remaining exceptionally calm throughout, he called for and adjusted artillery fire missions on the enemy and requested helicopter evacuation of his wounded, all in a highly professional manner. Still under heavy fire he moved into the open and helped carry three wounded men to a more secure area. When helicopters became available, he directed suppressive fires on the enemy which enabled the helicopter to land and evacuate the wounded men. Lieutenant Lloyd then reorganized his patrol and assaulted two villages to which the enemy had withdrawn and accounted for six known Viet Cong dead. His tactical judgment and display of uncommon courage prevented heavy friendly casualties and was instrumental in the success of the mission. By his heroic actions and calm resourcefulness under most adverse conditions, First Lieutenant Lloyd upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.




