The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant George B. Gierhart (MCSN: 0-8841), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, during the month of October 1942. Fighting with grim determination to defend a vital, tactical position protecting the airfield, Second Lieutenant Gierhart coolly and courageously exposed himself to the enemy in order to encourage his men and more efficiently direct the fire of his mortars and artillery. When his platoon had suffered numerous casualties, he assisted in manning a 37-mm. anti-tank gun with marked success. His heroic devotion to duty and inspired leadership contributed to the repulse of the enemy attack and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.