Name of Award
Silver Star

Year Awarded
1968

Details behind Award:
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Boatswain's Mate First Class Edward Joseph Hagl (NSN: 5555301), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 14 March 1968, while serving with River Assault Squadron ELEVEN, as a Unit of Task Force CLEARWATER in the Republic of Vietnam. As the Boat Captain of Armored Troops Carrier 112-7 (ATC-112-7), Petty Officer Hagl placed his boat in the lead position of the minesweeping and security element which was preceding a logistic convoy of vital supplies from Cua Viet to Dong Ha, in the heavily-contested Northern I Corps Area of Vietnam. Having full knowledge that his boat could minesweep only for command-detonated mines, and realizing that the had no means of coping with either magnetic or contact mines, he unhesitatingly directed his boat and led the convoy through an area which had been the scene of numerous enemy ambushes and minings. Petty Officer Hagl had succeeded in leading the convoy through five miles of hostile waters before his boat detonated a mine which destroyed the boat and caused his death. His gallant actions enabled the remaining sweep and security boats and the logistic convoy to safely transit this dangerous area and successfully deliver their vital cargo to Dong Ha. Petty Officer Hagl's leadership, courage, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Board Serial 1558PO9B1 (April 25, 1968)
Service: Navy
Rank: Boatswain's Mate First Class
Regiment: River Assault Squadron 11

Hagl, Edward Joseph, Sr., PO1