The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Edward Hiram Smith (ASN: RA-36949918), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division in Korea. Corporal Smith distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions near Kunom-ni, Korea, on 13 February 1951. His company was given the mission of attacking and securing Hill 584, held by a strongly reinforced enemy company. His company advanced to within 50 yards of the objective when intense, interlocking automatic fire pinned down the three attacking platoons. Private First Class Smith, a company runner, recruited several riflemen from the command post and entirely on his own initiative, started an attack of his own. He worked his men to a position from which they could direct flanking fire on the enemy and, after clever evaluation, decided that a one-man surprise assault would be a better move than a group assault. Instructing his men of his intention, he moved out, sneaking stealthily up on the enemy positions. Aiming a grenade, and holding it for a few seconds to assure himself that it would explode on contact, he threw it into the first enemy foxhole and immediately plunged in to finish the enemy off with his bayonet. This act was repeated at five different enemy positions and when he completed his self-appointed mission, five foxholes were knocked out and seven enemy soldiers lay dead. Private First Class Smiths courageous actions, with utter disregard for his own safety, reflect the highest credit to himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the U.S. Infantry.