The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant George Wayne Brewer (MCSN: 0-22662), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot and section leader of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN (VMF-215), operating in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago areas from 19 October 1943 to 15 February 1944. During this period, Lieutenant Brewer led his section on twenty-four escort missions, fighter sweeps and strafing attacks against Japanese shipping, airfields and shore installations, many of which were carried out in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition. On 14 January, during a strike against Rabaul, New Britain, he strafed enemy ships in Blanch Harbor and silenced shore batteries. His superior airmanship and aggressive fighting spirit contributed materially to the success of many bomber strikes and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.