The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Francis Michael Gambacorta, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer and Assistant Approach Officer serving on board the U.S.S. S-42 (SS-153), during the FIRST War Patrol of that Submarine in enemy Japanese-controlled waters of the Southwest Pacific Area, from 26 April to 20 May 1942. Exercising unusual skill and judgment, Commander Gambacorta performed his essential duties with cool determination and unfaltering efficiency and, by his thorough knowledge and understanding of attack problems, rendered invaluable assistance to his Commanding Officer in the conduct of a brilliantly planned attack against a large Japanese warship which resulted in the sinking of the hostile vessel. Subsequently aiding in the evasion of strong Japanese countermeasures, Commander Gambacorta contributed essentially to the successful outcome of an extremely difficult and dangerous assignment, and his conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.