The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Frank D. Snelson, Jr. (MCSN: 449168), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Platoon Sergeant of Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 4 June 1945. When an enemy position one hundred and fifty yards to the front temporarily halted his platoon with intense mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire, Sergeant Snelson charged the position with three comrades and, despite additional hostile fire, succeeded in capturing two enemy mortars and killing twelve of the Japanese, thereby enabling his platoon to advance to its objective. During the attack, he carried a wounded comrade thirty yards to a covered position. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.