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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Edward Winifred Spinaio, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 19 May 1967 while serving as Executive Officer of Detachment A-429, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, during an attack on his base camp at Ba-Xoai. A reinforced Viet Cong battalion launched a savage ground attack on his camp with cover from their heavy weapons, but Lieutenant Spinaio braved withering fire to take a position on the front wall. Ignoring his own safety, he exposed himself to the heavy fire time after time to rally his men and direct their fire on the hostile onslaught. He was seriously wounded and knocked unconscious by an exploding recoilless rifle round early in the battle, but he returned to the perimeter under a hail of flying shrapnel as soon as he regained consciousness. He moved one hundred and twenty meters up an open hillside under a fierce barrage to put a mortar into operation and direct friendly fire on the Viet Cong positions. Running out of ammunition, he dashed to a recoilless rifle position and directed the crew to fire on enemy concentrations. Although the position was raked by machine gunfire, he exposed himself to enemy weapons to fire rockets at the onrushing insurgents. He noticed three wounded men nearby and raced to their aid. Continuing to brave intense fire, he carried the men to safety and directed their evacuation. Throughout the battle, he remained in the open to direct and inspire his men against overwhelming odds. First Lieutenant Spinaio’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.