The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Edward J. Van Valkenburgh, Jr. (MCSN: 1185788), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 7 February 1968, during Operation HUE CITY, Gunnery Sergeant Van Valkenburgh’s unit became heavily engaged with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force and was subjected to intense machine gun, automatic weapons, small arms and B-40 rocket fire which seriously wounded numerous Marines. Realizing that the casualties required immediate evacuation, he obtained a vehicle and, disregarding his own safety, fearlessly maneuvered through the fire-swept streets to retrieve the wounded. After completing three evacuation trips, he successfully moved all of the casualties to a more secure area where he was informed that the First Platoon was dangerously low of ammunition. Reacting immediately, he drove his vehicle to a supply area, obtained the vital ammunition and returned through intense enemy fire to deliver the supplies to his unit. Informed that the Second Platoon Command Group had sustained numerous casualties, he unhesitatingly moved to the area of the fire fight and, upon assuming command of the unit, skillfully maneuvered his men while directing their fire against the hostile positions. In large measure due to his aggressive fighting spirit and superior leadership, the enemy was repulsed. By his inspiring leadership, dauntless courage and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme peril, Gunnery Sergeant Van Valkenburgh contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.