Frank Ellis Branning

Private 1st Class, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 0031 (January 25, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Frank E. Branning (MCSN: 820367), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity was an Automatic Rifleman serving with the First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 17 September 1944.
Suddenly confronted with an enemy machine-gun nest while acting as the point of his platoon during a hazardous advance through heavy mortar fire toward a series of well-defended coral ridges, Private First Class Branning unhesitatingly attacked the Japanese position and, delivering a stream of devastating fire, completely knocked out the emplacement.
Although seriously wounded during this action, he refused to endanger the life of a medical corpsman and attempted to make his way unaided to a place of comparative safety, but was struck again by enemy fire and mortally wounded. Private First Class Branning's indomitable fighting spirit and unselfish conduct were an inspiration to his comrades and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.