The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Edson Duncan Raff (ASN: 0-19261), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Wesel, Germany, on 24 March 1945. Colonel Raff led the first stick of parachutists in the lead element of the airborne attack on German soil. Upon landing, Colonel Raff immediately assembled the troops of one battalion and led them on the regimental objective. His disregard for personal safety and his gallant leadership inspired his men to high achievement which resulted in the winning of the regimental objective. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Raff, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Air Forces Award) to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Edson Duncan Raff (ASN: 0-19261), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment (Separate), in the North Africa Theater of Operations, on 7 November 1942. On that evening, thirty-nine C-47 Transport Aircraft carrying 556 paratroopers led by Colonel Raff, left Cornwall, England, for the first American parachute jump as the vanguard of Operation TORCH, the Allied invasion of North Africa. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Raff, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.