The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Harold C. Smith, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 31 July 1943. When a comrade was seriously wounded by enemy machinegun fire, Sergeant Smith immediately went to his rescue. Crawling across forty yards of bullet-swept terrain which afforded little concealment, he reached the wounded man and despite harassing enemy sniper and machinegun fire, brought the man to safety. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.