The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Frank James Montez (MCSN: 2375978), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Patrol Leader with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. While Corporal Montez was conducting a reconnaissance patrol in Quang Nam Province on the evening of 20 September 1969, the point man detected signs of North Vietnamese Army soldiers in the area. Quickly establishing his men in defensive positions and requesting an aerial observer, Corporal Montez led three of his Marines in a search of the vicinity and encountered a bunker containing two hostile soldiers. The enemy immediately fired at the small Marine patrol. Instantly returning the fire, Corporal Montez killed one of the men then, throwing hand grenades, forced the other to retreat. With the arrival of the aerial observer, he skillfully withdrew the team to covered positions and directed fire on suspected North Vietnamese Army emplacements. While the aerial observer was making his firing runs, the Marines came under intense fire from hostile soldiers occupying another bunker and Corporal Montez fearlessly moved across the dangerous terrain to direct the fire of his men and silence the enemy fire. Directed by the aerial observer to proceed to a landing zone for extraction, Corporal Montez continually exposed himself to pursuing hostile fire as he assisted a companion who had been wounded during the brief engagement. After arriving at the landing zone, he ignored the North Vietnamese Army rounds impacting around him to examine the casualties and distribute ammunition to his men. When an extraction aircraft commenced an approach into the site, Corporal Montez boldly stood in full view of the enemy soldiers to guide the pilot with a strobe light, and, while thus dangerously exposed, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. His heroic actions and determined efforts inspired all who observed him. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Montez upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.