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 DeVries (ASN: 37776984), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division at Luzon, Philippine Islands. A small patrol was probing enemy positions in a heavily wooded area near Callao on 8 July 1945, when it met intense hostile fire and a considerable Japanese force tried to encircle the group. The small force immediately withdrew to the main American force, when it was discovered that one member of the patrol was missing. While our forces withdrew to the high ground about 500 yards to the rear, Private First Class George DeVries and Private First Class Roy H. Wilkinson and a companion voluntarily moved forward again into the dense woods to search for the missing man. Although exposed to continual fire from the approaching enemy, they searched until they found the soldier, who had been badly wounded and was unable to move. After applying first aid, they placed the casualty upon a shelter half and while exposed to mortar and machine gun fire and under immediate threat of encirclement carried him approximately 600 yards until they reached the retiring American force. The courage and determination of Private First Class DeVries and Private First Class Wilkinson saved their comrade’s life, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.