The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Lance Lee Smith, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia from 7 May 1972 to 8 May 1972. During this period, Lieutenant Smith flew as wingman on a search and rescue mission to recover two downed American crewmembers located four miles south of the Demilitarized Zone in one of the most heavily defended areas of South Vietnam. Despite taking intense fire on repeated occasions from numerous antiaircraft positions and large numbers of hostile troops plus the threat of confirmed missile sites, Lieutenant Smith repeatedly exposed his slow moving A-1 Skyraider to successfully lead and protect the vulnerable rescue helicopter to effect the safe recovery of the downed airman. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Smith has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Lance Lee Smith, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of General Smith reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 20, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Lance Lee Smith, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia on 20 May 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Smith flew in support of an extremely hazardous and complex search and rescue mission attempting to rescue two downed crewmembers deep in North Vietnam. In spite of intense ground fire directed at his slow-moving aircraft, the constant threat of hostile aircraft and surface-to-air missiles, Lieutenant Smith helped locate the survivor and provided protective fire and smoke screen for the vulnerable rescue helicopters. These conspicuous actions were instrumental in the successful rescue of a downed airman from advancing hostile search parties. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Lance Lee Smith, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of General Smith reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
August 3, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Lance Lee Smith, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 3 August 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Smith flew in support of friendly forces defending a district capital in Southern Laos from an advancing force of hostile troops. Despite the close proximity of the allied position, Lieutenant Smith delivered his ordnance with pinpoint accuracy causing the hostile force to retreat with a large number of casualties, thus insuring the position of the friendly forces in the area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
April 27, 1972
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders GB-0394 (March 28, 1973)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Lance Lee Smith, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot with the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia on 27 April 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Smith volunteered to escort rescue helicopters to an extremely hostile, heavily populated industrial center of North Vietnam in an attempt to recover an American aircrew member downed by ground fire. Despite particularly adverse weather conditions which forced him to fly within range of active, sophisticated air defense positions and heavy concentrations of anti-aircraft artillery, Lieutenant Smith, with complete disregard for personal safety, deliberately and repeatedly exposed his slow-moving aircraft to aid immeasurably in directing and protecting the vulnerable rescue helicopters during the successful recovery. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Smith has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to General Lance Lee Smith, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of General Smith reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Lance Lee Smith, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of General Smith reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Lance Lee Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Smith and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
GeneralAction Date:
November 10, 2005 – November 9, 2007
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Lance Lee Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, culminating as the Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia, and NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation from November 10, 2005 to November 9, 2007. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Smith culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Lance Lee Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Smith and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.