The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Frank Krec (ASN: 2309152), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Rifleman with company H, Third Battalion, First Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 2 march 1968, Lance Corporal Krec’s unit was maneuvering toward the enemy controlled village of Mai Thi, in Quang Tri Province, when the Marines suddenly came under intense machine gun fire from well fortified hostile positions. Disregarding his own safety, he unhesitatingly crawled forward across 25 meters of fire-swept terrain and commenced throwing hand grenades at an enemy emplacement, enabling the remainder of his unit to move forward. Unable to silence the weapon with hand grenades, he fearlessly stood up and exposed himself to the hostile fire while delivering accurate rifle fire at the enemy position. Despite the heavy volume of hostile fire, he resolutely continued his heroic actions until he was mortally wounded. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Krec upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.