The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant [then Sergeant First Class] Dewey Edward Smith (ASN: RA-16155149), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Heavy Tank Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 24 April 1951. On that date, the Heavy Tank Company and the infantry units it was supporting were fiercely attacked by an estimated 1,000 enemy troops while occupying defensive positions near Taejon-ni, Korea. Heedless of the intense hostile fire sweeping the area, Sergeant Smith fearlessly exposed himself as he manned the tank’s deck machine gun, utilizing it with great effectiveness and materially contributing to repulsing the foe’s initial assaults. Through sheer weight of numbers, the third wave of enemy soldiers overran the infantry positions and Sergeant Smith covered friendly withdrawals until he found himself cut off behind enemy lines. While maneuvering during the defense, his tank was partially disabled by an enemy artillery shell but he, with great skill, drove his vehicle over two miles through the treacherous darkness of the enemy-infested terrain; yet, in spite of these extreme hindrances, he placed the wounded and other friendly troops on the tank, bringing all through to the safety of friendly lines. The gallant initiative and superb courage displayed by Sergeant Smith reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.