George H. Barritt

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to George H. Barritt (20720982), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company I, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, on 20 February 1945, near Styring Wendel, France. Despite heavy enemy artillery fire and intensive automatic and small arms fire, Sergeant Barritt, with great daring, led his squad toward a proposed location for the battalion outpost. While he was crossing a field, a close burst threw him to the ground and wounded him internally. Disregarding his painful wounds, Sergeant Barritt rallied his squad, advanced, and completed the mission. His gallant action was a great inspiration to all the men.