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 Private First Class Edwin L. Kinney, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 6 September 1969 while serving as a machine-gunner with Troop F, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Troop F had established a night defensive position when it came under intense mortar and rocket-propelled grenade fire from an estimated company of North Vietnamese Army soldiers. In the initial moments of the attack Private Kinney’s vehicle sustained a direct hit from an anti-tank grenade that wounded one man and set the vehicle afire. Although knocked to the ground by the concussion, Private Kinney returned and removed the wounded man. Afterwards he braved the intense heat to remove the weapons. Ignoring the intense hostile fire he dashed to a nearby vehicle and retrieved a gas mask and extinguisher. Working quickly he fought the blaze until it was subdued, even though enemy fire continued to rake his position. He then distributed the remainder of the ammunition and when the enemy attempted to rush the weakened perimeter area, Private Kinney held them off with accurate suppressive fire from his machinegun. Private First Class Kinney’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.