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 (Armor) George E. Vontom (ASN: 0-1319686), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Tank Company, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 15 February 1951 near Chipyong-ni, Korea. On that date he was the executive officer of a tank company which was engaged in a tank-infantry attack on enemy forces occupying strong defensive positions. In the course of the action he observed that the attack was not fully coordinated between his tanks and the infantry. He immediately ran 200 yards across the fire-swept terrain to the lead tank. After issuing instructions which resulted in a more unified attack, he climbed upon a tank, despite the enemy fire which ricocheted from it, and manned a .560 caliber machine gun. Although he was wounded, and later evacuated, his deadly fire inflicted heavy losses upon the enemy who suffered, as they retreated, heavy casualties from the fire of the adjacent friendly unit. The gallantry displayed by Captain Vontom reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) George E. Vontom (ASN: 0-1319686), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Tank Company, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 19 September 1950 in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea. The tank platoon commanded by Captain Vontom was supporting the attack of a rifle battalion against enemy forces well-entrenched on high ground overlooking the Naktong River. In the initial phases of the assault he worked his tanks into position near the center of the battalion sector from where he was able to observe the major objectives of the attack. At this point, his tanks were fired on by two enemy anti-tank guns. Captain Vontom, on the lead tank, exposed himself to the intense hostile fire, located both guns and neutralized them with his tank fire. Later in the attack, the assaulting infantrymen were pinned down by a heavy volume of fire directed at them from Hill 174. Since his tanks were unable to fire without endangering friendly troops, he left his tank and, under heavy fire, reconnoitered a nearby ridge until he found a route for his tanks to follow. He led his tanks into position in front of the infantry, under direct observation of the enemy. Having lost communications with the infantry commander he left his tank, crossed the exposed ridge for approximately 100 yards and received instructions from the infantry commander to cover the advance of two rifle platoons. In the action which followed he moved his and one other tank ahead of the rifle elements, continually exposing himself as he fired the .50 caliber machine gun mounted on the tank’s rear deck. His accurate and heavy fire drove many of the enemy into the open, pinned down the remainder and allowed the battalion to resume the advance. As a result of his heroic action, an enemy force of estimated battalion strength was driven from its positions and this objective, once secured, reduced all organized resistance east of the Naktong River in the battalion section. The gallantry and skillful leadership displayed on this occasion by Captain Vontom reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.