John F. Smith

1st Lieutenant, U. S. Army

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, XII Corps, General Orders No. 18 (March 4, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Chemical Warfare Service) John F. Smith (ASN: 0-1535533), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the *** Chemical Mortar Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy from 7 to 12 February 1945, in Luxembourg and Germany.
Attached to the 1st Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment during its attack across the Sauer River, Lieutenant Smith, as Forward Observer, directed screening operations for the crossing and continued to do so after his boat capsized. As mid-afternoon of 9 February 1945, Lieutenant Smith voluntarily crawled forward of American lines upon exposed terrain in the midst of enemy sniper fire and for over an hour observed and directed the successful and effective 4.2-inch mortar fire on an enemy pillbox. This fire silenced an enemy machine gun and mortar and was instrumental in bringing about the surrender of thirty-two Germans, including one officer.
The complete disregard for personal safety and extremely high sense of duty displayed by Lieutenant Smith reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.