The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel George Brooker Bell (MCSN: 0-5281), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 4 June 1945. Realizing that his entire battalion sector was in danger when the left assault company was stopped while attacking an enemy-held ridge during the battle for Oroka Peninsula, Lieutenant Colonel Bell went forward under heavy enemy fire to locate the Commanding Officer of this company and, although wounded by shell fragments while moving forward, continued until he had located the enemy points of resistance. He unhesitatingly exposed himself to sustained heavy fire to coordinate the battalion supporting weapons and, by directing a relentless attack, successfully seized the ridge, before returning to his Command Post to have his wounds dressed. By his inspiring leadership and courage, Lieutenant Colonel Bell upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.