The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class George H. Polster (MCSN: 913450), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a machine gunner of Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy held Peleliu, Palau Islands on 16 September 1944. During a night of repeated attacks by the enemy, Private First Class Polster manned an isolated machine gun position which could not be reached for resupply with ammunition and despite eight enemy charges against his gun in an attempt to knock it out stood fire at his position although wounded in the bitter action. Given first aid in the morning when it was possible for help to reach him, he refused to leave his gun until the situation was stabilized and, by his courageous efforts, prevented a break-through of our lines and contributed materially to the annihilation of the hostile attacking force. His aggressive fighting spirit and outstanding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.