The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant George W. Hancock (ASN: 6832573), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving with the 435th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Far East Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Area, over Buna, New Guinea, on 25 July 1942. Staff Sergeant Hancock was Side Gunner on a B-17E type aircraft which was on a patrol and reconnaissance mission over Buna. The plane was attacked by fifteen Zeros, and in a running fight which lasted for forty-five minutes, three enemy planes were shot down and several others were damaged. The determination and courage shown by Sergeant Hancock in the face of heavy cannon and machine gun fire aided considerably in defeating the enemy in this encounter.