The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant George L. Halenkamp (MCSN: 0-41215), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifle Platoon Leader of Company E, Third Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 31 May 1945. During the bitter struggle for Schichina, Second Lieutenant Halenkamp withdrew his platoon with permission to a more advantageous position for the night. Upon arriving at his new position he noticed that two of his men had been wounded during the withdrawal and were lying in the middle of the field exposed to hostile fire. Realizing that unless the men were rescued before darkness they would either die or be taken as prisoners by the enemy, he requested and received permission to get them out. Although no smoke was available he made his way under fire to the first man and, throwing him over his shoulder, ran back to his own lines. Although the enemy by this time was fully aware that an effort would be made to rescue the other casualty and laid a heavy screen of fire over his position, Second Lieutenant Halenkamp again made his way out into the field and, even with the enemy firing every weapon they possessed in an effort to prevent him, succeeded in getting the wounded man back. His bold initiative, unselfishness and courageous action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.