The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Second Lieutenant Wilfred S. LeFrancois (MCSN: 0-8229), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as Platoon Leader of the First Platoon, Company A, SECOND Marine Raider Battalion, during the Marine Raider Expedition against the Japanese-held island of Makin in the Gilbert Islands on 17 and 18 August 1942. By his discriminating disposal of the advance guard, Second Lieutenant LeFrancois enabled it to engage the enemy effectively, initiating the fire with great success. Displaying exemplary leadership and determination, he led his platoon in advance until severely wounded in the right shoulder by enemy machine-gun fire. Throughout the engagement, his aggressiveness, courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.