The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Charles A. Smith (AFSN: AO-1908765), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy as Pilot, Detachment ONE, 3d Air Rescue Squadron on 3 July 1951. At the voluntary risk of his life, Lieutenant Smith flew a highly vulnerable H-5 helicopter ten miles into enemy-held territory to rescue a Marine fighter pilot who parachuted from his stricken airplane near Sangyong, Korea. After reaching the scene, Lieutenant Smith, observing that the distressed pilot was waving frantically while in a prone position, decided to land immediately. When the defenseless helicopter alighted, bullets began to strike in the area, and the aero-medical crewman ran to the aid of the seriously injured pilot. Realizing the weight of the helpless pilot was too much for the crewman, Lieutenant Smith leaped from the aircraft and ran through concentrated small arms fire to offer assistance. After the pilot and crewman were aboard, Lieutenant Smith took off and returned safely to friendly territory. By his gallantry and courage in the face of the enemy, and his selfless devotion to duty in saving another pilot’s life, Lieutenant Smith reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.