The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Rear Admiral Allen Edward Smith (NSN: 0-9035), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a United States Navy Cruiser Division which participated in the bombardments of Matsuwa on 13 June 1944, and of Kurabu Zaki, Paramushiro on 26 June 1944. Despite the lack of modern fire control equipment and anti-aircraft armament, he led his Division as a part of a Task Force into the enemy’s home waters. Well aware of the large numbers of enemy land-based aircraft in the Kurile Islands, and out of range of friendly air cover, he skillfully took advantage of weather conditions to maneuver his ships into position without being detected, bombarded his assigned targets, and retired to his base without damage or casualties to his own forces. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Smith is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Rear Admiral Allen Edward Smith (NSN: 0-9035), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Cruiser Division FIVE during the period 10 October 1944 to 31 January 1945. Under his excellent leadership the Task Group comprised of Cruiser Division FIVE and a squadron of destroyers made bombardments on Iwo Jima on 11 – 12 November, 8 December, 24 December, 27 December 1944; Chichi Jima, Haha Jima and Iwo Jima on 5 January 1945, and Iwo Jima on 24 January 1945 in which he was in command of the Cruiser Division only. Several of these bombardments were conducted in conjunction with aerial attacks by Army Air Force units and the total effort resulted in minimizing air attacks against United States bases in the Mariana Islands. During this period his Task Group sank or destroyed ten medium enemy ships of various types. His initiative, daring outstanding ability, and devotion to duty throughout the entire period 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 Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Rear Admiral Allen Edward Smith (NSN: 0-9035), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during operations against the enemy in the Pacific as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57). During the period 20 September 1943 to 18 March 1944, he participated in many campaigns and actions, and on all occasions, through long and arduous periods of operations, he handled his ship with outstanding ability. During many and repeated night and day air attacks, the skill and courage with which he fought his ship were material factors in keeping to a minimum serious damage to the forces of which he was a part. During offensive bombardments against the enemy, his ship inflicted telling damage and assisted substantially in the forward progress of the war in the Pacific. He contributed inspiring leadership to the officers and men under his command, and his conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Smith is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)