The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Charles B. Smoot (ASN: 39687866), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the Medical Detachment, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Parma, Italy, on 25 April 1945. Spearheading an advance to cut Highway 9, northwest of Parma, the platoon with which Private First Class Smoot served as aid man was subjected to heavy rifle and machine gun fire. Hearing the cries of wounded comrades who were trapped in an open field, Private First Class Smoot immediately left his place of cover and raced through grazing fire toward the casualties. Rapidly he set to work cleaning and bandaging the wounds. Struck in the back by a sniper’s bullet, he refused to seek cover and continued to render medical aid to his fellow soldiers. Three more times he was hit by small-arms fire, yet he remained at his task. A fifth wound proved fatal and Private First Class Smoot died while still attempting to ease the pain of his fellow soldiers. The courage, selflessness and profound devotion to duty evidenced by Private First Class Smoot are glorious tributes to the Medical Branch of the Army of the United States.