Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Frank Roy Yates, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Sixth Machine-Gun Battalion, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Etienne, France, 4 October 1918. Pharmacist’s Mate Yates attended the wounded during a heavy artillery and gas bombardment, remaining at his post even after his gas mask was torn from his face by a shell fragment. Late in the day in a violent barrage of machine-gun fire he showed entire disregard for his own safety in ministering to wounded soldiers and in organizing two crews of litter bearers to carry them from the road to the dressing station.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class

    Batallion:

    6th Machine-Gun Battalion

    Regiment:

    6th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 4, 1918

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 88 (1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Frank Roy Yates, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Yates distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Sixth Machine-Gun Battalion, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Yates displayed great courage and fearlessness near St. Etienne-a-Arnes, France, 4 October 1918, in attending the wounded under heavy artillery and gas bombardment. Although his mask was torn from his face and rendered unserviceable by a shell fragment he remained at his post until the wounded had all been dressed. Later, on the same day, during a heavy machine-gun and artillery barrage, after the canteen and cover had been cut from his belt by machine-gun gullets, he dressed the wounded and organized two litter-bearer crews to carry the wounded from the road to the dressing station.