The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
SILVER STAR MEDAL to
Cpl FRANK K. DRONE
United States Marine Corps
For service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Frank L. Drone, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company M, 3dBattalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 24 March 1969, Company M was conducting a search and destroy mission in the mountains of northwestern Quang Tri Province when the point squad sighted and took under fire a group of five North Vietnamese Army soldiers, moving down a narrow jungle trail. When the enemy fled, Lance Corporal Drone, accompanied by other members of his squad, fearlessly pursued them and observed the hostile soldiers seek shelter in a cave. As the Marines approached the enemy position, they came under intense automatic weapons fire, wounding two men seriously and pinning down the remainder of the squad. Completely disregarding his own safety, Lance Corporal Drone then skillfully maneuvered his fire team to a position from which it could provide suppressive fire in support of the recovery of the injured men. When the casualties had been removed from the hazardous area, he fearlessly assaulted the hostile emplacement under the cover of smoke grenades. Although painfully wounded by enemy small arms fire, he continued his daring attack and, upon arriving at the mouth of the cave, delivered a volume of accurate rifle fire which was instrumental in accounting for three enemy soldiers killed. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lance Corporal Drone inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
