The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Master Sergeant George H. Butler (MCSN: 240671), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as First Sergeant of Company D, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Hongch-on, Korea, on 11 March 1951. Observing that the leading assault platoon was pinned down by intense mortar and automatic-weapons fire during a frontal attack against deeply entrenched and heavily fortified hostile bunker positions commanding all approaches, Master Sergeant Butler voluntarily left his relatively safe position and charged forward up the narrow ridge line, rallying the platoon and encouraging the men to follow him through the hail of enemy fire. Spearheading a fierce assault on the hostile position, he courageously advanced in the face of devastating fire although suffering from painful facial wounds and blinded in one eye after an enemy grenade exploded a few feet from his head. When his own rifle was shot from his hands, he immediately seized another and moved steadily forward, killing ten of the enemy defending the emplacement and inspiring his own men to follow and take the objective. His gallant leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of heavy odds reflect the highest credit upon Master Sergeant Butler and the United States Naval Service.