By direction of the President, in addition to a Bronze Star Medal awarded by the Commanding General, 27th Infantry Division to Technical Sergeant GEORGE ADAM CHRISTEL, as published in Section II, General Orders #35, this headquarters, dated 21 May 1944, a bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster was awarded posthumously to him by the Commanding General, 27th Infantry Division, under the provisions of Executive Order #9419, 4 February 1944 (Section II, Bulletin #3, War Department, 1944), and pursuant to authority contained in AR 600-45 (Decorations), 22 September 1943, as amended. The citation is as follows:

Technical Sergeant GEORGE ADAM CHRISTEL,

A.S.N. 32058640, Company I, 165th Infantry, United States Army

“For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy at Okinawa Shima, Nansei Shoto, on 25 April 1945. Sergeant CHRISTEL led a rifle platoon attacking a high, well-defended ridge held by Japanese hidden in caves. Enemy machine gun, mortar, and sniper fire impeded the advance of his company. Sergeant CHRISTEL maneuvered his platoon through the heavy concentration of enemy fire to within 200 yards of the foe, while the Japanese directed the majority of their fire against the platoon. This enabled the remainder of the company to advance. One Japanese machine gun in particular inflicted heavy casualties upon his platoon. Abandoning the slight concealment he had, in view of the enemy, he moved through open terrain into the withering crossfire. This he did voluntarily, knowing the hostile positions must be attacked and destroyed. While trying desperately to discover a better route of approach, he was constantly exposed to small arms fire. By his courageous action, Sergeant CHRISTEL furthered the advance of his platoon a total of 200 yards and was responsible for the continuation of his company’s advancement.”

General Orders #90, 23 November 1945, Headquarters, 27th Infantry Division.

By command of Major General George Griner:

O. E. Trechter,
Colonel, General Staff Corps, Chief of Staff

George Adam Christel