The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Elmer E. Smith (ASN: RA-16001188), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 19 July 1950, near Yechon, Korea, Sergeant Smith was riding in the lead jeep of a reconnaissance patrol when it was fired on at close range by enemy machine guns. After taking cover, Sergeant Smith saw that one of his comrades lay wounded only 15 yards from an enemy position. Moving forward under increasingly accurate sniper fire, Sergeant Smith lifted the wounded man into a jeep and returned him to safety. Sergeant Smith’s gallantry in rescuing his comrade in the face of the gravest danger is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.