Citation

Specialist Four Edward Arthur distinguished himself by heroism in action on 11 May 1967, while serving as an aerial observer and gunner with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry during a combat aerial reconnaissance mission near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam. When his observation helicopter flew over a large force of heavily armed Viet Cong and began to receive intense automatic weapons fire, Specialist Arthur immediately returned the fire and denied the enemy access to a heavily fortified area. When armed helicopters arrived on station, Specialist Arthur, with complete disregard for his own safety, dropped smoke grenades to mark the location of the fleeing enemy. As a result of his effective fire on the enemy and his identification of their positions, 32 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army soldiers were killed and 11 weapons, a radio, and numerous documents and medical supplies were captured. Specialist Arthur's personal bravery and devotion to duty under intense hostile fire are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.