The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) James J. Smith (ASN: 0-128804), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 20 September 1944 at ****, Holland. Captain Smith, Commanding Company E, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, personally led the forward company in the attack on the city and inspired his men to great feats of personal courage. On the following day the German parachutists were sniping from a building adjacent to one platoon of his company. They tried to escape through an alley near the Company CP. Captain Smith spotted the two Germans, and, completely disregarding the fact that they were armed with machine pistols and grenades, attacked them single-handed. With his pistol he hilled one and wounded the other. These snipers had already killed three men. This action was typical of the aggressiveness and conduct displayed by Captain Smith throughout the battle for ****, Holland. By great personal courage and inspirational leadership, he contributed immediately to the success of the battalion mission, the wresting of the Waal River bridges from the enemy. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.