The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Robert L. Frank (MCSN: 0-9582), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines, First Provisional Marine Brigade, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Guam, Mariana Islands, from 21 to 27 July 1944. With the combat efficiency of his command imperiled by many casualties among the officers and men, Captain Frank Exercised exceptional responsibility on behalf of his troops and repeatedly exposed himself to intense, concentrated rifle, machine-gun and mortar fire to direct the fire and tactical dispositions of his assault platoons. Skillfully and expeditiously setting up a strong defense after reaching the objective just before nightfall following a furious engagement on 25 July, he promptly established contact with another battalion on his right flank. Sustaining two vicious counterattacks during the hours of darkness, he boldly led his men in repelling the fierce onslaughts and annihilating over 200 hostile troops. Continually moving about among his front line troops and personally directing combat operations, he inspired his intrepid command to heroic effort in the execution of each hazardous mission throughout this grueling period until he was struck down by hostile fire during an extremely perilous engagement on 27 July. Later succumbing to his wounds, Captain Frank, by his forceful and determined leadership in the face of grave danger, had contributed immeasurably to the success of our sustained drive toward the recapture of this vital Japanese stronghold, and his selfless devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.