The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Edward Theodore Murphy (MCSN: 2030755), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Squad Leader, Third Squad, First Platoon, Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam on 21 May 1967. On a search and destroy mission, Corporal Murphy was assigned the mission of engaging and dislodging three enemy automatic rifle positions, 200 meters to his front, which were inflicting numerous casualties on the Third Platoon of Company B. Although three Marines were wounded in the assault, he overran the enemy positions and killed six Viet Cong soldiers. Neither casualties nor the increased enemy fire deterred him from his objective. Approximately two hours after this engagement, Corporal Murphy’s Squad again came under intense automatic weapons fire. Within ten minutes, his squad had taken eight casualties. Corporal Murphy himself was wounded in the leg, chin and arm. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he regrouped the remainder of his squad and attacked the enemy positions resulting in twenty Viet Cong confirmed killed and probably twenty others. While leading this daring assault, he was fatally wounded. Corporal Murphy’s dauntless courage, bold initiative and unswerving devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.