The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Seaman First Class George B. Boone, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while participating in operations against the enemy off Okinawa Jima on 27 March 1945, as member of Repair Party Number One of the U.S.S. BILOXI (CL-80). After his ship was hit by a Japanese plane carrying a 500 kilogram bomb which failed to explode and lodged in compartment C-419A, with utter disregard for his own safety, he immediately volunteered and entered unhesitatingly the partially flooded compartment and secured the necessary lines which made possible the prompt and efficient removal of the unexploded bomb from this storeroom. He accomplished this service disregarding the fact that the bomb was expected to explode at any time, thus sacrificing his personal safety to protect personnel and ship. His cool courage, determination, prompt action and devotion to duty in the execution of this service were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.