The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery), [then Second Lieutenant] George H. Paine (ASN: 0-8037833), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 11th Airborne Division, in action against the enemy on Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 5 April 1945. On the afternoon of 5 April 1945, the infantry company to which Frist Lieutenant Paine was attached as forward observer, attacked Malayra Hill, a strongly defended area serving as an anchor for the main line of defense of the Mt. Helopunyo area. First Lieutenant Paine marched with the foremost infantry elements and provided continuous artillery support which culminated in the capture of this vital enemy strong point. When night fell, the enemy gathered all of his forces in an effort to recapture this important position. Later in the night, our infantry positions were attacked by an enemy force which out-numbered ours many times over. It was a fanatical Banzai attack. First Lieutenant Paine moved about the perimeter courageously and without regard for his own safety and adjusted artillery fire so that it fell on all four sides of our troops at the sides and constituted a protective wall. First Lieutenant Paine adjusted fire all during the night during successive fanatical attacks by the enemy. When morning came all of this enemy force had been driven back and destroyed. It was largely due to the intrepidity of this officer and to his skillful and masterly handling of artillery fire that this numerically superior enemy force was repulsed time and time again, and finally destroyed. First Lieutenant Paine’s courageous action contributed materially to the success of the unit’s attack and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.