The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class George E. Burtner (ASN: 35571932), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 24 January 1945, in the vicinity of Jebsheim, France. Private First Class Burtner, automatic rifleman, was on a patrol whose mission was to locate and destroy an enemy machine gun. Proceeding forward, the patrol was fired upon. Crawling forward one hundred and fifty yards, Private First Class Burtner, undetected in the darkness, threw a grenade, killing one of the enemy riflemen protecting the machine gun. While the patrol engaged the other enemy riflemen and machine gun, he charged forward firing his automatic rifle. The enemy, unable to swing their machine gun on him, fired their pistols. Although seriously wounded, he continued firing upon the enemy, killing the machine gun crew. Shortly afterwards he died from his wounds. The gallant action and outstanding devotion to duty of Private First Class Burtner reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.