THE WALL OF FACES

Mahalo Uncle George for your service. I remember the stories that were told of you and how you and I shared a birthday. Although we have never met, know that your Ohana misses you always and we hold you in our hearts. A hui hou kakou~ Your niece Jolene

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Soldiers Medal citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Dear SFC George Salema, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. I researched you on your 54th anniversary, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Veterans’ Day was yesterday. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Thank you to all who still remember the sacrifices that my grandfather, George Salema, along with so many thousands of other Americans, have given for their country.

George S. Salema

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Sergeant First Class George S. Salema, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company B, 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armor, on 23 June 1961 at Ayers Kaserne, Kirchgoens, Germany. While his unit was performing scheduled maintenance in the Battalion Tank Park, a high velocity armor piercing round exploded in the ready rack of an M-48A1 Main Battle Tank and started a serious fire in the fighting compartment. Although an explosion in the tank which was loaded with ammunition and fuel appeared imminent, Sergeant Salema unhesitatingly and immediately climbed on the left sponson boxes of the tank and closed the tank commander's hatch. When other members of the command brought portable fire extinguishers to the burning tank, he opened the hatch, fought the fire from the tank commander's hatch and after expending several extinguishers, entered the fighting compartment which was still burning and continued to fight the fire until it was extinguished Sergeant Salema's complete disregard for his own safety and courageous action in this emergency reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.