The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant George Mellotte Hagerman (NSN: 0-100380), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Evaluator in the Combat Information Center of the U.S.S. WADSWORTH (DD-516), in the vicinity of Okinawa from 1 April 1945 to 24 June 1945. During this critical phase of the war against Japan, his ship furnished vital fire support for our troops ashore and established a magnificent record during hazardous and arduous duty on radar picket station. His courageous leadership and skillful evaluation of enemy tactics greatly contributed to the terrible devastation wreaked by his ship upon Japanese shore installations and to the destruction of forty-one enemy planes. His initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.