The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private George B. McAvoy (MCSN: 358086), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on October 8, 1942. When a strong Japanese attack broke through a position of the First Marine Raider Battalion’s positions at the mouth of the Matanikau River, Private McAvoy worked his way back into an area overridden with enemy troops and, under hostile fire, dragged a wounded comrade to the safety of his company’s reformed lines. His cool courage and utter disregard of personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.