The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) George C. Gunn (ASN: 0-1309256), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 101st Airborne Division. On 25 December 1944, enemy infantry and tanks succeeded in penetrating the perimeter defense of Bastogne, Belgium, and continued their advance toward the area occupied by the rear element of Lieutenant Gunn’s platoon. Organizing a group of command post personnel, Lieutenant Gunn led his men to meet the enemy. On encountering heavy enemy automatic fire, he deployed his forces in a firing line, and crawled toward the enemy machine gun. Reaching a position ten yards from one enemy gun, Lieutenant Gunn threw a hand grenade which killed the enemy gunner instantly. He then crawled to within fifteen yards of the other gun, threw another grenade, and wounded and captured the gunner. He continued his hazardous advance to the crest of the hill where he observed three more of the enemy fifty yards away on the opposite side of the mound. Running boldly toward the mound, Lieutenant Gunn threw a grenade which killed on man instantly. After capturing the other two enemy soldiers and sending his prisoners to the rear, he effected the surrender of five more of the enemy and captured their machine gun intact. His courage and tenacity of purpose exemplify the highest standards of the military service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Infantry)Division:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
December 25, 1944
Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division, General Orders No. 45 (April 28, 1945) -
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Regiment:
38th Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
May 18, 1951
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 208 (June 21, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) George C. Gunn (ASN: 0-1309256), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action on 18 May 1951 in the vicinity of Kunmol-Gol, Korea. On that date, as Regimental Communications Officer, he intercepted a message from a 2d Battalion radio operator that the battalion command post had been overrun. He immediately proceeded toward the command post and encountered numerous groups of riflemen moving south away from the enemy. Captain Gunn re-grouped the men, joined a tank platoon and continued toward the command post which had been overrun and was in enemy hands. With the tank support, he placed his riflemen in positions where their fields of fire were most effective. During the period he remained exposed and passed up and down the line assuring himself that the fire was being correctly placed and at the same time assisted in the recovery of both vehicles and wounded personnel. He remained in the area until the last tank withdrew by which time the road was under small arms fire from the high ground on either side. Because of his determination and courageous example many wounded men and serviceable vehicles were recovered that would have otherwise been lost. The gallantry in action and outstanding leadership displayed by Captain Gunn reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.