Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal [then Private First Class]

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 28, 1951

    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 278 (July 9, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal [then Private First Class] Darrow O. Smith (ASN: RA-17282611), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 28 May 1951, in the vicinity of Hadap, Korea. On that date, his unit was riding tanks, constituting the infantry element of an armored task force. The column was halted by an enemy roadblock and the troops were dispersed by intense enemy machine gun fire. Seeing a comrade trying to start a tracked vehicle that had been damaged, Corporal Smith, with complete disregard for his own safety, dashed through the intense enemy fire to help. When a close examination of the machine revealed that the batteries had been destroyed by the enemy fire, he aided his comrades in hooking up two extra batteries which were in the machine. Finally they managed to start the motor. Corporal Smith, with his comrade, then drove the vehicle to the rear, stopping on the way to rescue 17 wounded comrades although still under intense enemy fire. The gallantry displayed by Corporal Smith reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.