The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Edgar Samuel Powell, Jr. (NSN: 0-73373), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BALDWIN (DD-624), in action against enemy forces off the West Coast of France, from 6 June to 4 July 1944. Skillfully maneuvering his ship after his forward gun had been damaged by enemy artillery fire, Commander Powell pressed his attack on hostile coastal forces and troop concentrations and, by reducing the accuracy of enemy fire to a minimum and maintaining an effective and accurate volume of close support fire, contributing materially to the successful area screening operations which protected our invasion forces. His professional ability and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.