The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Francis E. Drake, Jr. (MCSN: 299871), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 9 October 1942. While serving with Company C of the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, south of Point Cruz and west of the Matanikau River, Private First Class Drake and a comrade, while exposed to vigorous hostile fire, attempted to carry a wounded Marine from the scene of his injury to a protective ridge about one hundred yards distant. When almost within reach of his objective, Private First Class Drake was struck by enemy fire and killed. His heroic spirit of self-sacrifice was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.