The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal George V. Annese (MCSN: 372278), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a member of an Ammunition Loading Detail of Company C, Third Motor Transport Battalion, Service Troops, THIRD Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Empress Augusta Bay Area, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 7 and 8 November 1943. Forced by Japanese machine gun fire to take cover in an enemy slit trench after landing on the beach, Corporal Annese left the comparative safety of his position to reconnoiter in the direction of the enemy barrage. Locating a hostile pillbox which was delivering enfilade fire on the beach, he worked his way to the rear and, with the aid of another Marine, rushed the Japanese emplacement and killed its occupants. Corporal Annese’s initiative, devotion to duty and perseverance were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.