The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant] George A. Iwamoto (ASN: 19060327), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 34th Infantry Division, on 7 July 1944, near Molino A. Ventoabbto, Italy, and on 16 and 17 July 1944, in Luciana Italy. Technical Sergeant Iwamoto led his weapons platoon in support of an attack to capture the crest of a strategically important hill which afforded little cover or concealment. Sighting a squad of the enemy attempting a flanking movement to his left, he opened fire with his submachine gun, killing four and causing the others to disperse. Next, locating a machine pistol nest, he silenced this position with a burst from his submachine gun, killing at least three of the enemy. With a final rush, a rifle platoon cleared the crest of the hill. As the enemy retreated down the forward slope, Technical Sergeant Iwamoto let his platoon in support of an attacking company. Leading one section of his machine guns into a house which was under intense artillery, mortar and small arms fire, he emplaced one machine gun on the roof. Observing an enemy machine gun nest to the left front, he directed the squad’s fire and silenced the position. Immediately a machine pistol located in a house to the right front opened fire. Technical Sergeant Iwamoto directed the fire of his machine gun and silenced this position. Observing an enemy patrol attempting a flanking movement, Technical Sergeant Iwamoto directed machine gun fire at the patrol, killing two, wounding or dispersing the remainder to dispose of the threat. Technical Sergeant Iwamoto’s brilliant leadership and heroic actions under fire reflect the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.