The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant George S. Hamm, United States Navy, for gallantry in action aboard the U.S.S. MONSSEN (DD-436) during combat with Japanese naval forces off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 12 November 1942. While his ship was under tremendous hostile bombardment, Lieutenant Hamm, with the main system ruptured and only hand extinguishers available for combating flames, capably supervised the activities of fire-fighting and damage control parties. Refusing to go over the side when ordered to abandon ship, he sought out wounded personnel, administered first aid, and directed evacuation of survivors by emergency rafts. Not until warned by shipmates that magazines aboard the vessel were in danger of exploding did he leave the MONSSEN and take charge of life rafts and floats in the vicinity. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.