The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Francis R. Ryan (MCSN: 355349), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with a company of the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 3 – 4 January 1944. When his Battalion was heavily fired upon by enemy rifle, machine-gun and mortar fire from strongly fortified hostile positions during an attempted river crossing at night, Private First Class Ryan heroically drove his 75-mm. gun through unfamiliar, tangled jungle, bringing the weapon to a position from which it was fired at point-blank range, destroying enemy emplacements and guns and enabling the Third Battalion to advance. Private First Class Ryan’s daring aggressiveness and inspiring courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.