The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Edward P. Striedl, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 2 April 1970, while serving as squad leader with Company B, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, elements of Company B were inserted into an area where elements of Company C had come under intense small arms fire from a large enemy force. During the initial contact, several friendly casualties were sustained in both companies. Immediately, Sergeant Striedl organized his men into strategic fighting positions and began placing suppressive fire on the hostile force. Realizing his men were very vulnerable to the fire from an enemy bunker position directly to their front, Sergeant Striedl exposed himself to a hail of enemy fire as he crawled within a few feet of the enemy position and silenced it with a hand grenade. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission. The bravery and devotion to duty exhibited by Sergeant Striedl are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.