The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Howard A. Smith, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Cannon Company, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in October 1943 in the vicinity of Italy. When the attack of this 2nd Battalion, Infantry was stopped on low ground, observation upon enemy positions was nil except in places covered by enemy automatic weapons fire. In the absence of an artillery observer, Captain Smith, with utter disregard for his own safety and on his own initiative went forward and established an observation post. He exposed himself to enemy machine-gun fire to secure the much-needed observation and brought the fire of his Cannon Company to bear on the enemy position, neutralizing their fire. Later, when one platoon was making an attack upon enemy positions, Captain Smith went forward through intense enemy machine gun, small arms and mortar fire to gain better observation. By doing this, he was able to locate several enemy machine gun emplacements, direct the fire of his Cannon Company on them and destroy them. Captain Smith’s initiative, courage and devotion to duty were exemplary and are a credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.