The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Private First Class] George Akiyama (ASN: 38304513), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 92d Infantry Division, on 5 April 1945, in Italy. The platoon of which Staff Sergeant Akiyama was a member, advanced in a company attack against entrenched enemy positions on Hill Georgia. Heavy machine gun, rifle, and grenade fire from the enemy began a fierce firefight during which the platoon suffered many casualties. One seriously wounded man lay only ten yards from the enemy and Staff Sergeant Akiyama crawled through a mined area to his side and administered first aid, partially exposing himself to enemy fire in so doing. He helped the casualty to shelter and returned to the fight. A strategically located hostile machine gun nest to the front endangered the whole platoon. Staff Sergeant Akiyama voluntarily took a steel helmet full of grenades and crawled through another minefield toward the enemy weapon. Coming into position, he threw a grenade but heavy hostile fire forced him to take cover. He then repeated this procedure until he had thrown six grenades and emptied two magazines from his sub-machine gun. Forced to withdraw for more ammunition, his platoon leader would not permit him to return because of the extreme danger. His extraordinary aggressiveness exemplifies the highest traditions of the United States Army.