The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal George F. Gross (ASN: 32733635), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 551st Antiaircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Mobile, in action against the enemy in Germany on 6 December 1944. Corporal Gross’ battery, serving as support for field artillery operations near Furweiler, was suddenly brought under a terrific enemy artillery barrage. While members of the unit fled to the comparative safety of a nearby trench, a shell exploded and blew one of his comrades into a shell crater about twenty feet from his position. Hearing the cries of the wounded man, Corporal Gross, with utter disdain for his personal safety and thinking only of the welfare of the stricken soldier, groped his way across the shell-battered field toward the casualty. On the brink of leaping into the crater with his helpless comrade where he would have been partially sheltered from the falling shells, Corporal Gross was struck by flying fragments when another large caliber shell exploded near him. He died of his wounds while attempting to rescue the injured companion. His gallantry, aggressiveness and outstanding devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.