The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant George B. Rock (MCSN: 2153923), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Section Leader with the First Armored Amphibian Company, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 February 1968, Sergeant Rock’s platoon was positioned near the mouth of the Cua Viet River when it came under a heavy enemy artillery and rocket attack. Two hostile rounds struck an amphibian tractor, setting it ablaze and detonating its load of 105-mm. ammunition and additional ammunition in a nearby storage area. Disregarding the danger from the continuing enemy fire and falling debris, Sergeant Rock led a fire fighting team in extinguishing the numerous fires which had ignited in the platoon’s main ammunition storage bunkers and living quarters. Observing a 105-mm. round land atop an ammunition truck, he unhesitatingly climbed aboard the vehicle and removed the smoking round and extinguished the fire which had ignited. When it became necessary to move the remaining five vehicles from the hazardous area, Sergeant Rock guided them to positions of relative safety and returned to assist in extinguishing fires and locating unexploded ordnance. His timely and heroic actions prevented numerous Marine casualties and the destruction of valuable equipment. By his courage, bold leadership and steadfast devotion to duty, Sergeant Rock upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.