The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral William Ward Smith, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service to the Government of the United States in a position of great responsibility as Commander of a Naval Unit in the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway. Rear Admiral Smith’s excellent judgment and the superior quality of his leadership during the events leading up to and through the actual engagements of these battles were evidenced in the effective direction and control of his units. Specifically, on 8 May 1942, and on 4 June 1942, the aggressive and determined action of Rear Admiral Smith and the skill and devotion to duty of the units under his command caused the infliction of heavy damage on attacking Japanese air forces with ultimate success for our forces in these distinctive engagements.