GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 386  8 Sept 1953

 

    AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL  - By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (Sec II, WD Bul 3, 1944), and pursuant to authority in AR 600-45, the Bronze Star Medal with Letter "V" device for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States is awarded to the following named enlisted men:

Private First Class (then Private) ROBERT L. SMITH, RA12412696, Armor, Tank Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the late afternoon of 10 June 1953, in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea, a personnel carrier of which Private SMITH was a gunner, was dispatched from the friendly lines to evacuate casualties who were situated with a tank task force in an enemy valley. As the vehicle was moving through the heavily mined valley, it was subjected to intense concentrations of enemy mortar fire. Despite the barrage landing in the vicinity of the vehicle, Private SMITH remained in his exposed gunner's position, prepared to give fire support if necessary. When the personnel carrier reached the tank position, Private SMITH dismounted and, braving the heavy enemy fire, helped to place the casualties on the vehicle and prepare them for evacuation. As the personnel carrier was returning to the friendly lines, it was again subjected to intense fire but reached the lines successfully. Private SMITH'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from New York.

  Source: Record Group 338: General Orders 3rd Infantry Division, Boxes 129 to 131 - National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.