The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class George A. Andrews (MCSN: 836936), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Squad Leader in a Marine Rifle Platoon of Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 20 May 1945. Instructing his squad to remain at its present position while he crossed a draw covered by heavy hostile machine gun fire, Private First Class Andrews brought effective fire from an exposed position on the next ridge to bear on the Japanese, thereby neutralizing their fire and permitting his squad to cross the draw without casualties. Although wounded seriously in both legs, he continued to fire at the Japanese until his whole squad was well established on the ridge. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.