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Marine Awarded Silver Star for Actions in Vietnam
Published 3 years ago
Marine Major Edward F. Wright was awarded the Silver Star for actions that took place all the way back in 1967 in Vietnam.
His silver star citation reads as follows:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Edward F. Wright, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as a Platoon Leader assigned to Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 August 1967, Lieutenant Wright led a 30-man reaction force against a well-entrenched North Vietnamese force that had just ambushed an Army convoy and pinned down his company commander's relief force. Lieutenant Wright expeditiously organized his platoon and led them on a rapid two-mile combat march to the ambush site. Recognizing contact with the enemy was imminent, he tactically deployed his force into concealed positions moments before the enemy unleashed a ferocious attack with automatic weapons, rockets and grenades. Despite the onslaught, Lieutenant Wright tenaciously assaulted, clearing enemy positions as he advanced. As the battle came to close combat, he rallied his men and ordered them to fix bayonets and then continued his aggressive assault. His tactical skills and placement of fire support enabled his force to steadily advance and rescue the besieged Soldiers and Marines located at the main convoy site. Second Lieutenant Wright's bold action, unwavering courage under fire, and complete devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Marine Corps.