The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Frank Jan Horak, Jr. (MCSN: 0-79105), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Tactical Air Coordinator (Airborne) with the O-1C Detachment, Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron Sixteen, Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 3 to 6 March 1967. On 3 March, Captain Horak launched aboard an observation aircraft to provide visual reconnaissance of the area beyond the positions of the First Battalion, Ninth Marines at it advanced to engage the enemy. Locating small enemy units on several occasions, he effectively directed the deployment of Marines and enabled them to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy without sustaining any friendly casualties. Later in the morning, he observed a column of approximately 250 North Vietnamese Regulars moving along a trail and immediately requested artillery and air support. Despite the adverse weather conditions and a low overcast that limited visibility, Captain Horak displayed outstanding skill in directing air and artillery strikes against the enemy which resulted in seventy-six North Vietnamese confirmed killed and seventy-five probable killed. On 5 March, Company D, First Battalion came under intense enemy mortar fire, causing numerous Marine casualties. Exhibiting exceptional airmanship and courage, Captain Horak flew beneath a dangerously low cloud cover in the face of intense ground fire to successfully locate the mortar positions and coordinate and adjust artillery fire which destroyed them. When medical evacuation helicopters could not land due to deteriorating weather and the heavy volume of hostile fire, Captain Horak disregarded the danger and courageously flew at tree top level through rain showers to locate and mark all enemy positions in order to determine safe avenues of approach to the landing zone for the evacuation aircraft. Assured that a relatively safe evacuation could be achieved, he returned to Dong Ha and briefed the helicopter pilots. Early the following morning, he led the transport aircraft to the area and successfully directed the evacuation of all the wounded without encountering hostile fire. By his outstanding professional skill, dauntless courage and unswerving devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain Horak was instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.