The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant George M. Kinnaman (MCSN: 1986364), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 22 October 1966. During Operation KERN, Sergeant Kinnaman was leading his squad in an assault on a heavily defended hill. As the unit swept through a village toward the entrenched enemy, it came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from the front and both flanks, wounding Sergeant Kinnaman in the heel. Refusing to stop long enough to treat his wound, he resolutely continued to lead his men, directing their fire and shouting encouragement to them. After overrunning the enemy positions, he immediately positioned his squad in a defensive perimeter. Upon learning that his Platoon Commander was wounded, Sergeant Kinnaman crawled to his position only to find that he was dead. In doing so, he was severely wounded in the leg by enemy machine gun fire. Realizing that he was in command of the platoon, he selflessly ignored his wounds and radioed the Company Commander for supporting mortar and artillery fire on the remainder of the objective. Although twice painfully wounded, Sergeant Kinnaman refused evacuation and aggressively maintained control of his unit until his mission was completed. The successful operation accounted for eighteen Viet Cong killed. His outstanding leadership and courageous actions were an inspiration to all who observed him and were instrumental in defeating the enemy. By his spirited leadership, fearless determination and steadfast devotion to duty, Sergeant Kinnaman upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.