The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) George Raymond Stairs (ASN: 0-1309665), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, 92d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 5, 6, 19, and 20 April 1945, in Italy. During a battalion attack, First Lieutenant Stairs skillfully led his platoon in taking an important hill, catching the enemy off guard. After taking the hill, the company commander ordered his platoon to hold-up and cover another platoon preparing to attack the battalion’s main objective. Although his platoon was exposed to heavy concentrations of enemy mortar, machine gun and small arms fire, he deployed his men in effective support of the attacking platoon. On another occasion when his platoon was halted by 2 machine guns and small arms fire, First Lieutenant Stairs, without regard for his own safety, personally led the platoon in overpowering the enemy position, capturing 21 and killing an unknown number. On still another occasion during an attack, First Lieutenant Stairs, exposing himself to enemy fire, effectively deployed his platoon killing 2 snipers and causing 8 to flee. The following day he courageously led his platoon toward an enemy strongpoint. The mist, which was concealing his advance toward the strongpoint, lifted just as he was 75 yards within the position. Immediately the foe directed a machine pistol, machine gun, rifle grenade and mortar concentration upon First Lieutenant Stairs. Caught in the line of this fire, he boldly stood up and inspired his men to press the attack. As the attack gained momentum, he was seriously wounded in the head by mortar fragments and fell to the ground, momentarily stunned. Realizing the enemy had superior fire power, and 17 of his men had already been wounded, he, despite his wounds, personally supervised the withdrawal of his platoon to safe positions. His bold aggressiveness, courage, and determination to close with the foe reflect great credit upon the traditional gallantry of the American Soldier.