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.

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.