The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Lieutenant Colonel James M. Smith (MCSN: 0-3779), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action at New Georgia, Solomon Islands, wherein he voluntarily accompanied a platoon of marine tanks committed to knocking out several hostile pillboxes which were impeding the advance of an infantry regiment, and successfully effected the mission at the cost of a serious injury to himself on 16 July 1943.