George S. IIda

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to George S. Iida (30105400), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 4 July 1944, near Castellina, Italy. When his platoon was pinned down by fierce bursts of machine gun fire, Sergeant Iida, spotting two of the guns, successfully neutralized one machine gun emplacement with his M-1 rifle and directed the fire of his BAR man in silencing another. Reorganizing his men who had become scattered by the barrage, he advanced forward alone to reconnoiter the area. Encountering an enemy rifleman, he shot him at point blank range. This action caused the enemy to open up with intense machine gun and machine pistol fire. Locating one of these hostile positions, Sergeant Iida crawled to within a few yards of it and throwing two hand grenades, destroyed the machine gun nest. Meanwhile, his platoon leader was seriously wounded and Sergeant Iida was ordered to assume command of the platoon. Observing that the men were still held immobile by the concentrated enemy fire, he again advanced alone, located the hostile positions and heaved four more hand grenades into the emplacements, silencing the enemy weapons. By his fearless determination and outstanding bravery, Sergeant Iida successfully led his platoon in capturing their objective. His intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.