The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Homer F. McGee, United States Navy, for gallantry in action as commander of a task group of LCIs during assaults on Lae and Finschhafen. Commander McGee skillfully maneuvered his ships toward their objectives and, while planes bombed and strafed his forces and machine guns and mortars blasted them from the beaches, he fearlessly beached and unloaded his vessels. Although several of his craft were damaged, he completed his mission and withdrew on schedule. 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.