The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Private First Class Edward Gorman Free (MCSN: 301430), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, on 25 March 1942. During the course of a heavy bombing attack on Fort Mills, Philippine Islands, a large number of bombs fell on the Kindley Field area setting fire to the 92d Coast Artillery Corps barracks and the wooded area in the vicinity of the 92d Coast Artillery Corps garage. With his comrades, Private First Class Free, without regard for personal safety and while enemy planes were operating overhead, succeeded in getting under control a fire which threatened to destroy a fuel storage tank as well as numerous defense installations in that area. This action was rendered more hazardous by the explosion of small caliber ammunition and land mines in the immediate vicinity of the fire fighting.