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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) George Patrick McDonough (ASN: 0-5358714), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force on 9 November 1969 while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company C, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light), in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while set up in an ambush position, his platoon initiated contact with an enemy force. Though caught by surprise, the hostile troops retaliated with automatic weapons fire. Lieutenant McDonough maneuvered fifty meters across open terrain to reach a position from which he could call in artillery and better return the enemy fire. Despite numerous attempts by the enemy to rout him from his position, he refused to withdraw and continued to direct the supporting artillery and to block the hostile force’s only possible path of escape. As a result, nineteen of the enemy were killed. Second Lieutenant McDonough’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.