The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander George Dewey Hoffman (NSN: 0-73527), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and courageous devotion to duty as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. CORRY (DD-463), providing close fire support for the initial landing in France, commending in the early hours of 6 June 1944. In darkness he rendezvoused with his division and, proceeding down the boat lane immediately preceding and in support of the first wave, he bravely and skillfully navigated his ship at slow speed in strong cross currents across the heavily mined and shallow Bane du Cardonnet. He then proceeded with grim determination through hazardous waters into a narrow fire support channel bounded by shoals known to have been mined, and with great daring and consummate skill maintained position in a strong tideway and courageously engaged shore batteries at close range. He successfully prosecuted his mission with utter disregard for danger. When his ship was subjected to very heavy and accurate gunfire, he maneuvered as radically as restricted waters would permit, and while so doing he struck a mine, causing very serious damage. Despite this he endeavored to fight his ship, but in vain. Several hits were suffered about the same time. When it was necessary to abandon the broken and sinking ship, he supervised the removal of his officers and men, displaying cool leadership and decisive action, and upon ensuring that there was no longer anyone alive on board and having prudently taken proper security measures, he was the last man to leave the ship. His courageous devotion to duty kept the loss of life at a minimum. His courage and determination in the face of great odds was an inspiration to his entire command and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.