The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal George E. Potter (MCSN: 453347), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a squad leader in a rifle platoon of Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 17 May 1945. When his squad assigned the mission of assaulting a strategic hill on the Naha-Shuri line which was well defended by entrenched hostile forces, Corporal Potter courageously led his men in the face of devastating enemy fire to seize the objective and although painfully wounded while deploying his squad in effective defensive positions, refused evacuation and remained in position to direct his group in repulsing a strong hostile counter attack. Ordered to move his squad to more favorable ground when their position became untenable, eh observed a wounded member of his squad who could not walk and although weak from loss of blood, moved through the heavy fire to reach the man and carry him to safety. Receiving additional wounds during this heroic action, Corporal Potter again refused evacuation until his squad was reorganized in sound defense positions. His able leadership, fortitude and devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.