The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Frank Olechnowski (MCSN: 479064), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifle Grenadier with Company K, Third Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during the initial assault on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, 20 November 1943. Landing on the beachhead in the face of intense enemy fire, Private First Class Olechnowski sought cover in a near-by shell hole and, observing an approaching tank firing on waves of landing craft, abandoned his fox hole and moved forward into an advantageous position to fire his grenade. Undaunted by heavy hostile fire from an adjacent beach, he coolly fired his rifle grenade into the side of the tank, disabling it and causing it to swerve into the water and sink. His courage and devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Olechnowski and the United States Naval Service.