The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Frank Helen Presley (MCSN: 0-10906), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-121), Marine Air Group FOURTEEN (MAG-14), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area during the periods 9 October 1942 to 23 November 1942, and from 1 to 30 January 1943. During an extremely tense and dangerous period when our positions on Guadalcanal Island were ominously threatened, First Lieutenant Presley, while serving a six weeks’ tour of duty, participated in numerous engagements with hostile forces and, by his expert marksmanship, shot down three enemy planes. In the latter period, despite the dangers involved in combat with numerically superior forces, he skillfully operated his fighter on offensive patrols and accounted for the destruction of two hostile craft. On one occasion, when ten dive bombers and twelve Zero-type fighters attacked Task Force Sixty-Seven, for which his four-lane patrol was serving as protective cover, First Lieutenant Presley displayed superb airmanship in shooting one bomber out of the sky and contributing to the severe losses inflicted on the enemy. His relentless fighting spirit was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 312 (VMF-312)Action Date:
October 6, 1950
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Frank Helen Presley (MCSN: 0-10906), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Korean Area on 6 October 1950. Carrying out low-level reconnaissance runs in search of hostile positions, Captain Presley succeeded in locating eight enemy tanks and skillfully led an attack in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire. Undeterred by the hostile opposition he scored direct hits on three of the enemy vehicles, completely destroying them before joining in an attack on a tank repair yard and contributing materially to the destruction of this vital hostile facility. His alertness, airmanship and gallant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Marine Fighter Squadron 312 (VMF-312)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
April 5 – June 15, 1951
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Frank Helen Presley (MCSN: 0-10906), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Pilot and Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, from 5 April to 15 June 1951. Throughout this period of intensive action, Major Presley personally led his squadron in repeated air strikes against the enemy in close support of friendly ground forces. Despite injuries sustained in crash-landing his aircraft when shot down during an attack against hostile gun emplacements, he insisted on promptly returning to his squadron and continued to lead a series of daring offensives against the enemy. Denied the use of airfields in North Korea, he skillfully operated his unit from the deck of an aircraft carrier and, although wounded by hostile fire during a subsequent engagement, managed to land his disabled plane on the flight deck of the ship. By his courageous leadership, outstanding ability as an airman and loyal devotion to duty, Major Presley served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 312 (VMF-312)Action Date:
September 30 – December 4, 1950
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Frank Helen Presley (MCSN: 0-10906), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMFR-312), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, from 30 September to 4 December 1950. Completing thirty-five missions during this period, Captain Presley participated in combat assignments over enemy territory in the face of grave hazards, thereby contributing materially to the success of his squadron. His courage, professional skill and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.