Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant George W. Yates (MCSN: 0-51368), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Commander of Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, on 23 – 24 February 1953. Assigned the hazardous night mission of occupying a position far in advance of the main line of resistance to protect tanks and to support another unit which was scheduled to raid an adjacent enemy position, First Lieutenant Yates assumed command of the tank-infantry team and expeditiously employed his men for the attack against the objective. When his position was assaulted from two sides by a numerically superior hostile force minutes after his defense was established and a furious battle ensued which lasted for a period of nearly four hours, First Lieutenant Yates continuously exposed himself to the intense enemy fire, shouting words of encouragement and directing the fire of his men and tanks. At one time during a particularly critical period, he personally manned a machine gun in an exposed position on top of a tank and, delivering accurate fire on the hostile forces, accounted for more than ten enemy dead. By his indomitable valor, inspiring leadership and zealous devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Yates served to inspire all who observed him and was instrumental in completely defeating the hostile forces, inflicting over two hundred casualties upon the enemy with only minor losses to his unit. His dauntless actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.)

    Action Date:

    April 8 – 9, 1953

    Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 962 (November 6, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant George W. Yates (MCSN: 0-51368), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Commander of Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 8 – 9 April 1953. With his platoon subjected to a devastating barrage of hostile mortar and artillery fire while occupying an extremely vital outpost far in advance of the main line of resistance, First Lieutenant Yates, although painfully wounded, steadfastly continued to move about the dangerous area in order to check his perimeter positions and to ascertain the combat readiness of his men. When the enemy launched a vicious assault against the outpost during the hours of darkness, attacking from two flanks with an estimated infantry company, First Lieutenant Yates personally participated in the ensuing bitter hand-to-hand struggle and accounted for several enemy dead while his gallant defenders were repulsing the assault on one of the flanks. Reorganizing his depleted garrison and moving about through a hail of murderous enemy fire to direct the fire of his men when the numerically superior hostile force penetrated the other flank of the position, he again engaged in the fierce hand-to-hand fighting and, in addition, called down accurate artillery and mortar fire on the enemy throughout the savage assault in which the Marine defenders were firing point-blank at the onrushing hostile troops until the enemy withdrew at daylight. Although weak from his previous wounds, First Lieutenant Yates braved the continuing barrage of hostile fire to move among the few remaining survivors and to assist his casualties. Mortally wounded by an exploding enemy shell after he left the comparative safety of the trench line to go to the aid of another casualty, First Lieutenant Yates, by his inspiring leadership and remarkable fortitude in the face of tremendous odds, was greatly responsible for the successful defense of the vital outpost position. His exceptional valor sustains and enhances the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.