The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Edward R. Zaptin (MCSN: 0-107579), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 16 February 1969, Company D became heavily engaged with a large North Vietnamese Army force in Quang Nam Province and Second Lieutenant Zaptin’s platoon was assigned to attack the well-entrenched enemy. Rapidly assessing the situation, Second Lieutenant Zaptin skillfully coordinated the assault with supporting tanks and aggressively led his men against the hostile unit. Alertly observing an enemy emplacement directing antitank rocket fire, he boldly launched a determined attack against the hostile position, delivering accurate rifle fire as he fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain until he had expended his ammunition. Quickly obtaining another weapon from a wounded comrade, he aggressively continued his assault and hurling hand grenades into the hostile emplacement, destroyed it. Disregarding his own safety, he then attacked a second enemy fighting position and resolutely advancing across the hazardous area, fired upon the hostile position with an M-79 grenade launcher, killing the enemy soldier occupying the fortification. Continuing his determined efforts, he skillfully deployed his platoon to provide security for Marines that were moving casualties to relatively safe locations. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Second Lieutenant Zaptin 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.