Silver Star The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Edwin Harold Vancil (MCSN: 482673), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as member of the Second Tank Battalion Reconnaissance Party attached to the Second Tank Battalion, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, 20 November, 1943. Defying constant danger from enemy machine-gun and mortar fire while assisting his unit in laying a 1800-yard lane of channel markers over a shell and bomb-packed coral reef, Private Vancil valiantly made of himself a human marker in order to signal assault tanks to a successful landing on the beach-head when the floats were carried away by the heavy surf. Then, in the face of almost certain death, he voluntarily pressed forward and conducted a reconnaissance within enemy lines, pointing out targets which could not have been detected from within the tanks and continuing his courageous efforts until he was killed by hostile fire. Private Vancil's relentless fighting spirit, daring aggressiveness and heroic self-sacrifice directly contributed to the success of our forces in that area and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Services. He gallantly gave his life for his country. Action Date: November 20, 1943