The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Gunnery Sergeant Frank Skelton (MCSN: 291018), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Cape Torokina Area, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on December 17, 1943. When his platoon was pinned down by enemy fire during a frontal attack on a strong enemy emplacement and several of his men were killed or wounded, Gunnery Sergeant Skelton unhesitatingly advanced beyond his own lines under a hail of Japanese machine-gun fire in an attempt to evacuate one of his men who was injured and lying directly in the fire lane of hostile machine guns. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, he courageously worked his way forward toward his comrade, but was killed before his rescue mission could be completed. Gunnery Sergeant Skelton’s 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.