The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant George S. Smith, United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Second Pilot of a Navy Patrol Plane in action against an enemy submarine in the Atlantic during World War II. Lieutenant Smith rendered gallant service during the aggressive depth-charge attack. He contributed materially to the severe damaging and probable sinking of the hostile vessel.