The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Ralph C. Frey, Jr. (MCSN: 0-8717), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while attached to the First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during an engagement with enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 14 September 1942. Courageously leading his platoon in the darkness up a bare slope which was swept by enemy fire, Second Lieutenant Frey with his comrades engaged the Japanese in hand-to-hand combat. Although critically wounded and later removed from action, he succeeded in establishing his platoon in a strong point from which it carried on until daylight when the remaining enemy forces were annihilated. By his bold and resourceful action, he contributed materially to the success of his platoon in steadfastly holding one flank of our lines against the fierce onslaught of the enemy. Second Lieutenant Frey’s indomitable fighting spirit and heroic devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.