The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class George E. Hogan (MCSN: 327237), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Fire Team Leader of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu, Palau Islands on 17 September 1944. Assuming command after his Platoon Leader and all non-commissioned officers became casualties during an advance across fire swept slopes in an attack against steep coral cliffs, heavily defended by hostile automatic weapons emplaced in caves, Private First Class Hogan immediately appointed squad leaders and reorganized the remnants of the platoon. Then, he rallied the exhausted group and boldly led an aggressive charge against the cliffs, succeeding in overcoming a numerically superior Japanese force. By his daring initiative, fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty, Private First Class Hogan upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.