George H. Hansen

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant George Herman Hansen (AFSN: AO-2086385), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations as a Flight Commander, 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group, on 27 April 1952. On that date, Lieutenant Hansen led a flight of four F-84E type aircraft in an attack against enemy rail lines near Sukchon, Korea, where they scored several rail cuts. Later, while making a strafing pass on a building, Lieutenant Hansen discerned that it housed a live locomotive. Quickly contacting another flight which had retained its bombs, Lieutenant Hansen made several strafing passes through heavy automatic weapons fire to establish the target’s exact position. Disregarding his own personal safety, he provided protection for the attacking flight by strafing enemy gun positions, through heavy automatic weapons fire. Through Lieutenant Hansen’s superior combat tactics and directions, the flight was able to destroy the locomotive, the repair building housing the locomotive, and one gun position. Through his keen airmanship, high personal courage, and outstanding devotion to duty, Lieutenant Hansen reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.