The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Hospital Apprentice First Class George S. Pilewski, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving on board the Light Cruiser U.S.S. SAVANNAH (CL-42), while that vessel was stationed in the Gulf of Salerno supporting our landings during the amphibious invasion of Italy on 11 September 1943. When the detonation of an enemy bomb inflicted heavy casualties, set off numerous fires and filled the turrets with dense smoke and toxic gases, Hospital Apprentice First Class Pilewski unhesitatingly risked his life to enter one of the turrets and, unmindful of the imminent danger of magazine explosions, coolly evacuated personnel who had been overcome, continuing his unselfish service until he himself was overcome while administering artificial respiration to one of the men he had rescued. By his courage and efforts in behalf of others at great risk to his own life, Hospital Apprentice First Class Pilewski undoubtedly saved many lives, and his steadfast devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.