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.