The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Chester Carl Smith (NSN: 0-59472), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SWORDFISH (SS-193), on patrol at sea between 9 December 1941 and 22 December 1941. Lieutenant Commander Smith made numerous contacts with enemy vessels. By aggressive and skillful tactics and in the face of considerable opposition from escorting enemy vessels he successfully attacked and damaged several and caused to sink at least four enemy cargo or merchant vessels. The conditions under which he attacked and the methods employed indicated an offensive spirit, fine leadership and a determination to carry the war to the enemy. The results have contributed materially to the damage inflicted on the enemy. Lieutenant Commander Smith’s fine qualities of inspiring leadership and the courageous, aggressive spirit of his command in offensive action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Chester Carl Smith (NSN: 0-59472), United States Navy, for outstanding and continued successful actions against the enemy as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SWORDFISH (SS-193), on the SECOND War Patrol of that Submarine during the period from 24 January to 19 February 1942. Despite the close watch maintained by enemy air and surface ship patrol, Lieutenant Commander Smith boldly entered the narrow waters of Celebes, Netherlands East Indies, during daylight on 24 January 1942, and engaged the enemy in a daring attack which resulted in the sinking of the two largest vessels lying at anchor in closed waters. Again on 18 February, off the Island of Luzon, Philippine Islands, after contacting an escorted enemy vessel supplying enemy forces on that island, he closed range and promptly attacked the shi which was subsequently found to have been destroyed. Following the attacks on both these occasions, his superb seamanship and alert evasive tactics enabled the SWORDFISH to avoid vigorous enemy counter measures and stand out of the area. Finally, on 19 February, a 3,000-ton Japanese tanker off the entrance to Subic Bay, was the last of eight enemy vessels to be destroyed by the SWORDFISH since the commencement of hostilities. Lieutenant Commander Smith’s fine qualities of inspiring leadership and the courageous, aggressive spirit of his command in offensive action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.