The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Franklin F. Gates (ASN: 0-1304890), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 27th Infantry Division at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 29 June 1944. Although wounded, and while more enemy fire was still imminent, Lieutenant Gates refused medical aid and directed the reorganization of his platoon which had been hit hard by enemy artillery. His devotion to duty in seeing that his men were cared for before his own wounds were treated are typical of his conduct throughout this campaign.