Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Franklin D. Roton (ASN: RA-17329786), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Medical Aidman attached to an Infantry Company of the 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private Roton distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sat’ae-ri, Korea, on 6 October 1951. On that date, the company to which Private Roton was attached was engaged in an assault against a series of heavily fortified enemy positions located on a strategic slope. As the friendly troops neared their objective, they were subjected to a devastating volume of small-arms, automatic-weapons and mortar fire from the fanatically resisting enemy. Many of the soldiers were wounded and Private Roton, disregarding the intense hostile fire, moved across the fire-swept terrain to administer aid. He moved from man to man, calming them and dressing their wounds. Observing a man fall wounded near a hostile bunker, Private Roton made his way to the stricken man’s side. As he began to treat the wounds of the injured man, he saw an enemy grenade land nearby. Without hesitation and with total disregard for his personal safety, Private Roton threw himself over the body of his comrade in order to protect him and absorbed the full impact of the grenade with his own body. Seriously wounded in the back and neck by the grenade and unable to move, Private Roton heroically saved the live of his wounded comrade. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Private Roton on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

Awards Received