The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Sergeant Edward M. Pike, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 7 July 1862, while serving with Company A, 33d Illinois Infantry, in action at Cache River, Arkansas. While the troops were falling back before a superior force, First Sergeant Pike, assisted by one companion, and while under severe fire at close range, saved a cannon from capture by the enemy.