Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Regiment:

    173d Airborne Brigade (Separate)

    Action Date:

    August 1965 – December 1966

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 27 (June 22, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Paul F. Smith (ASN: 0-33169), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, while Commanding the 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate), in the Republic of Vietnam, during the period from August 1965 to December 1966. [This award supersedes award of the Legion of Merit (Third Oak Leaf Cluster) to General Smith for meritorious service during the period August 1965 to February 1966, as announced in General Orders Number 909, Headquarters, United States Army, Vietnam, dated 6 February 1966; and the Legion of Merit (Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster) for meritorious service during the period February 1966 to December 1966, as announced in General Orders Number 661, Headquarters, United States Army, Vietnam, dated 14 February 1967.]

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Regiment:

    173d Airborne Brigade (Separate)

    Action Date:

    November 19, 1966

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 497 (February 1, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major General Paul Francis Smith (ASN: 0-33169), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters, 173d Airborne Brigade. Major General Smith distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 November 1966 while commanding the 173d Airborne Brigade on a search and destroy operation near Minh Thanh. Despite the extreme hazards involved, he boldly chose to visit a forward patrol base that had been under sniper and claymore mine attack for three days. At the time General Smith arrived, the perimeter was only manned by a skeleton force, but he insisted upon visiting the troops that were on line. Within ten minutes, two platoon patrols outside the camp were pinned down by a large Viet Cong force and the perimeter was again ravaged by intense hostile fire. Unmindful of the dangers, General Smith refused to take cover and calmly proceeded among the defenders, encouraging the men in their foxholes. Throughout the three-hour battle, he provided tactical advice to his subordinate commanders. At one point, the elements under severest attack were perilously low on ammunition, but because of devastating ground fire aerial re-supply was prevented. With complete disregard for his safety, General Smith fearlessly exposed himself to the hail of bullets and directed an armed helicopter strike on the charging Viet Cong. This courageous and timely action enabled the supply aircraft to land and allowed the besieged camp to finally repel the insurgent force. Later after the wounded had been evacuated, he conduced an aerial reconnaissance of the area an discovered a large cache of rice and supplies. His unimpeachable valor and profound concern for his men turned impending disaster into a major victory over a numerically superior hostile force. Major General Smith’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    507th Parachute Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    17th Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 17th Airborne Division, General Orders No. 59 (1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Paul F. Smith (ASN: 0-33169), United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division, during World War II.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    June 1961 – June 1963

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 3 (January 28, 1964)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Paul F. Smith (ASN: 0-33169), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from June 1961 to June 1963.