Serial # 253282
Postville, Iowa
Awarded the Silver Star for actions on Tarawa:
GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 0647CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant Edwin L. Hilmer, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Second Amphibious Tractor Battalion, SECOND Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands from 20 to 24 November 1943. With every member of his crew a casualty during the initial landing on D-Day, Platoon Sergeant Hilmer dauntlessly made repeated trips to the beach and front line areas under the enemy's shattering anti-boat and machine gun fire to disembark troops and supplies and evacuate casualties from the danger area. When his vehicle was struck by hostile fire and in imminent peril of sinking, he skillfully affected immediate repairs and, working tirelessly and with superb courage, continued transporting his vital cargo until the island was secured. By his daring initiative, his outstanding perseverance and zealous devotion to duty throughout this period of bitter offensive action, Platoon Sergeant Hilmer contributed materially to the success of our forces in capturing this vital hostile stronghold and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Created 31 January 2020
