The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain George J. Burns (MCSN: 0-11404), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. When the front lines were held up in the vicinity of Airfield Number One by incessant and intense enemy automatic and small-arms fire coming from a well-camouflaged blockhouse to the immediate front, Captain Burns braved the hail of fire and moved along his lines in an attempt to spot the enemy position. After locating the strong point, he ran back through the curtain of hostile fire to obtain the services of a tank and, leading the vehicle into position despite enemy efforts to destroy it, directed its fire to demolish the blockhouse. His courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.