The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Jack Edwin Smith (ASN: 0-60347), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters, 3d Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division in action on 20 July 1950 near Taejon, Korea. The forward elements of the Division were surrounded by numerically superior enemy forces in Taejon and a withdrawal had been ordered. Before the withdrawal was completed the enemy established a series of roadblocks on the roads leading out of the city. Captain Smith seeing that the troops were disorganized, went to them and appointed temporary leaders. In order to prevent further disorganization he ordered a covering force set up to cover the withdrawal. When friendly forces had left the main part of town Captain Smith went to the area of the enemy roadblocks and under extremely heavy enemy fire took command of the troops there, causing them to effectively direct their fire on the enemy thus enabling them to withdraw through the roadblock. Only when all the troops had withdrawn did Captain Smith leave. Arriving at a second roadblock he again took command, organizing the troops into a fighting unit and knocking out the roadblock. He organized a party of approximately one hundred and fifty men approximately fifty of whom were wounded and led them to safety. Arriving at a friendly area Captain Smith contacted the local authorities and had his men billeted and wounded taken care of. Allowing himself no rest he contacted military authorities and had a hospital train dispatched to him to remove the wounded. Due to Captain Smith’s self-sacrifice and devotion to duty many American troops were able to reach friendly lines. The gallant act displayed by Captain Smith reflects great credit on himself and the military service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Jack Edwin Smith (ASN: 0-60347), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company M, 3d Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, on 8 July 1950 near Chonan, Korea. The 3d Battalion, 34th Infantry had the mission of defending the town of Chonan. The Battalion became disorganized due to an encirclement by the enemy. Captain Smith, the Heavy Weapons Company Commander, became aware of the situations and made a reconnaissance of the area to locate positions to set up heavy machine guns and 81 millimeter mortars. After locating positions for his weapons he personally directed the setting up of the weapons. The area was under heavy enemy artillery, mortar and automatic weapons fire. This act of courage and leadership on the part of Captain Smith inspired the men and kept the flank position from being overrun by the enemy. The fire from the machineguns and mortars inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. After he had succeeded in halting the advance of the enemy, he made another reconnaissance, again under heavy enemy artillery and tank fire, for a safe withdrawal for the unit. During the withdrawal, he remained with the machineguns and mortars to see that all the men had withdrawn from their positions. This gallant act on the part of Captain Smith reflects great credit on himself and the military service.