The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Edward R. Wright (MCSN: 2417283), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Radio Operator with Company D, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 11 February 1969, during Operation DEWEY CANYON, Lance Corporal Wright’s platoon was occupying a defensive position at Fire Support Base ERSKINE when the Marines came under a heavy volume of fire supporting a vicious ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force. Informed that in the initial moments of the fierce engagement three Marines had been wounded and trapped halfway between their listening post and the friendly lines, Lance Corporal Wright, with complete disregard for his own safety, volunteered to accompany his platoon commander forward of the friendly position to aid his injured companions. Boldly crawling across the fire-swept terrain to the side of his comrades, he fearlessly assisted the casualties through the withering hostile fusillade to the relative safety of the company defensive perimeter. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Lance Corporal Wright was instrumental in saving the lives of three fellow Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.