The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal George C. Herman (MCSN: 539419), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company C, Fifth Engineer Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 to 25 February 1945. Landing the first bulldozer at his beach at H-Hour plus ninety minutes, Corporal Herman realized immediately that the vehicle was drawing mortar, artillery and small arms fire which was inflicting casualties on the troops in the area and, heroically driving beyond the front lines, proceeded toward the enemy until bullets fired at him were no longer endangering friendly troops. Later that day he returned his tractor to the beach and worked under heavy fire to pull numerous wrecked vehicles from the water’s edge, thereby relieving the beach congestion. Despite machine gun fire which hit his tractor and wounded a man who was riding, he coolly continued his work and subsequently towing a rocket truck which received a hit from mortar shell, completed his mission by placing the truck in a firing position although the crew were casualties. For a period of five days, Corporal Herman worked continuously in the construction of front line supply roads and the closing of caves at the base of Mount Suribachi until wounded when his tractor struck a mine. His initiative, courage under fire and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.