The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Louis J. Ferracane, Jr. (MCSN: 0-90153), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 29 May 1972 as a naval flight officer of jet aircraft while serving with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMA(AW)-224), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). As bombardier/navigator in a section leader’s aircraft, Captain Ferracane participated in a coordinated air-wing strike against the Uong Bi railroad facility in North Vietnam. While navigating his section at high speed and low altitude during the ingress to the target area, Captain Ferracane’s aircraft was struck twice during its run on the first of two assigned targets. Despite a barrage of enemy fire which caused additional damage to his aircraft, he succeeded in providing his pilot with vital attack parameters which materially aided in the placement of all ordinance directly on target. Captain Ferracane’s heroic conduct and devotion to duty in the face of heavy enemy fire reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps; and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.