George S. Oliver

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to First Lieutenant GEORGE S. OLIVER, 062336, Corps of Engineers, United States Army, Company A, 13th Engineer Combat Battalion, distinguished himself by gallantry in action near Puch’ohyon, Korea, on 9-10 April 1951. On these dates, Lieutenant OLIVER volunteered to take assault boats down the Choyang River to evacuate wounded from a crossing which had been the site of-, a heavy encounter with the enemy. The trip, approximately three miles in length, was accomplished under cover of darkness and was made extremely hazardous by rapid currents and jutting rocks. Having no prior knowledge of the course of the river, it was necessary for Lieutenant OLIVER to debark several times on the hostile shore and wade beside his boat until a passage through the rapids could be found. The entire voyage was made under the guns of the enemy and several times the boats were fired upon, but uncertainty of the position of friendly troops made it impossible to return the fire and defend the party.  Arriving at the designated site, Lieutenant OLIVER assisted in ferrying casualties accross (sp)  the river to medical aid stations. The prompt and heroic action of Lieutenant OLIVER was directly responsible for saving the lives of several men who other¬wise would have perished without the medical attention they received as a result of the deed. The gallantry displayed by Lieutenant OLIVER reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.