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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Franklin C. Gough, Jr. (ASN: 0-531102), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, France, on 13 September 1944. When his men clung to the ground for protection against heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire, Lieutenant Gough, a platoon leader, moving among them, encouraged them to recommence an action across an open field. After he had led the platoon to within one hundred yards of his objective, an enemy machine gun opened fire. Lieutenant Gough was killed by machine gun fire as he led a direct assault on the German position, but his men, spurred on by his inspiring example, continued the attack and eliminated the enemy strongpoint. His intrepid leadership is in accord with the military traditions of the United States.