The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal [then Private First Class] Frank J. Ambrose (MCSN: 2366901), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 7 February 1968. Lance Corporal Ambrose was part of a 15-man patrol when suddenly the patrol was heavily engaged by strong North Vietnamese Army units. The patrol received devastating enemy small arms, automatic weapons, rocket and mortar fire and sustained many immediate casualties. Lance Corporal Ambrose was seriously wounded in the left arm and chest during the first moments of the engagement. Undaunted by his wounds, he held his position and returned fire, allowing the surviving Marines to take cover in a roadside ditch. As he took cover in the ditch an enemy RPG exploded, mortally wounding the Marines on both sides of him. Several fragments from the explosion also hit Lance Corporal Ambrose, including one that lodged behind his left eye. After recovering the ammunition from his fallen comrades, he returned to his machine gun and within a short period of time was the last conscious Marine. He held his position under extremely heavy enemy fire and in so doing both protected the dead and wounded Marines around him and prevented enemy forces from capturing the recoilless rifle. When reaction force Marines arrived at the besieged patrol’s position, Lance Corporal Ambrose was still delivering suppressive fire, with enemy forces dead just feet from him. He and a fellow Marine pulled a severely wounded comrade to cover and administered life-saving first aid. Still engaging enemy forces when medevac helicopters arrived, refusing evacuation, Lance Corporal Ambrose instead helped load other wounded Marines and then provided suppressive fire protecting the aircraft’s departure. Even though he was ordered out on the second medevac helicopter, he continued firing on the enemy from the aircraft until it was safely out of range. By his exceptional courage, fighting determination and complete dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Ambrose reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.