The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Commander Frank Ragan King, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as Commander of a Division of trawlers, engaged in the difficult and hazardous operation of sweeping for and removing mines in the North Sea Barrage; and especially for his heroic conduct on the occasion of the destruction by mine explosion of his flagship, the U.S.S. RICHARD BULKLEY, of which he was also the Commanding Officer. Although stunned by the explosion, he made every effort to save the lives and to rescue men entrapped by steam in the fireroom. The rapid sinking of the vessel prevented his success in the undertaking. Finding the ship about to sink he proceeded to bridge, where he took his station, and went down with the ship.