The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class George W. Paul (ASN: 17085234), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 13 March 1944. during the tank-led attack against strongly-held and bitterly defended Japanese pillboxes, Private First Class Paul remained with the front echelon and fought valiantly as one by one those strongpoints fell to our forces. As the attackers advanced he noticed the muzzle of a hostile machine gun protruding through the aperture in a by-passed pillbox. Immediately realizing the menace this held to his squad’s flank, Private First Class Paul crawled to within a few yards of the position and hurled a hand grenade into it. As soon as the grenade exploded he ran to the entrance and killed the dazed Japanese machine gunner. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Paul, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.