Edgar F. Remington

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Edgar F. Remington (0-37430), Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in Korea. On 17 October 1952, Captain Remington led a flight of three Marine attack aircraft to escort an unarmed rescue helicopter deep into enemy territory. Braving intense heavy anti-aircraft fire, Captain Remington skillfully led his flight over the enemy’s main line of resistance in order to effect an expeditious rendezvous with the rescue aircraft. Upon joining with the helicopter and its escort of naval aircraft, he assumed leadership of the rescue mission and established a protective circle around the vulnerable helicopter. In the face of intense and accurate automatic weapons fire, he initiated a series of daring low-level strafing sweeps which effectively silenced the weapons. Because of low fuel the Naval aircraft were forced to leave the formation and return to their base, and the helicopter was forced to retire because of fuel shortage and impending darkness. As the rescue aircraft reversed its course, Captain Remington’s wingman lost contact and could not locate the helicopter. Despite the danger imposed by mountainous terrain and intensive hostile fire, Captain Remington remained below the slow moving helicopter in order to maintain visual contact. Remaining in this hazardous position in total darkness he continued to provide protective escort by intermittently turning on his own external lights to draw enemy ground fire away from the unarmed helicopter. This heroic action at great risk to his own life was responsible for the safe and successful retirement of the rescue aircraft. The courageous conduct in behalf of his fellow airman, exceptional professional skill and selfless devotion to duty shown throughout by Captain Remington reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.