The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Corps of Engineers) George W. Marvin (ASN: 0-14887), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 1 April 1944, at Anzio, Italy. Under heavy enemy shell fire, Colonel Marvin personally directed the dispersion of a concentration of landing craft which had become immobilized by a fouled anchor cable and which had blocked the harbor entrance. Realizing the danger of a ship concentration in the shell-swept harbor, he unhesitatingly proceeded to the end of the jetty and ordered the harbor tug to disengage the anchor line of the stranded LST. In an exposed position under intense enemy shelling, he directed the dispersal of ships and supervised the evacuation of casualties from a vessel which had received a direct hit. Because of the courage, foresight and resourcefulness displayed by Colonel Marvin, only slight damages to shipping were sustained, and the harbor channel was kept open for the unloading of vital supplies.