The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Frank M. Ross, Jr. (MCSN: 1117022), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Platoon Sergeant of the Scout Sniper Platoon, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Vietnam on 18 March 1968. During Operation Ford, Sergeant Ross was attached to a Marine unit which was maneuvering across a large open area in Thua Thien Province. Suddenly, the friendly force came under intense automatic weapons, mortar, recoilless rifle and antitank rocket fire from well concealed enemy positions, which pinned down the Marines. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Ross, unhesitatingly, exposed himself to the hostile fire in order to pinpoint the enemy positions. Standing in full view of the enemy, he alertly observed five camouflaged enemy automatic weapons emplacements within ten meters of friendly positions and an enemy machine gun bunker only five meters away. After obtaining a hand grenade and rising to his feet, he threw the grenade into the hostile bunker, killing the machine gun team and silencing the weapon. Subsequently, Sergeant Ross was mortally wounded by a burst of fire from another enemy automatic weapon. His courageous action, resolute determination and selfless devotion to duty inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.