Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Robert Fransko (MCSN: 804981), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Flame Thrower Operator of Headquarters Company, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 27 February 1945. When his company was temporarily held up by intense fire from strongly-entrenched enemy machine guns and mortars, Private First Class Fransko dashed across forty yards of fire-swept terrain to gain access to the emplacement. Using his flame thrower, he enveloped the front entrance to the entrenchment with fire and, after killing the occupants, ran through the smoldering tunnel to come out at another entrance. After the artillery piece had been destroyed with an explosive charge, he again entered the emplacement and fired his flame thrower into various openings within. Shortly thereafter, he manned a rocket launcher and destroyed an enemy tank as it approached our lines from behind the ridge. Although wounded by hostile gunfire during this action, Private First Class Fransko, by his skillful tactics and his courage under fire, contributed materially to the overrunning of the Japanese stronghold. His conduct throughout reflects the highest credit on Private First Class Fransko and the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received