The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Larry E. Smith, United States Army, for gallantry in action. Captain Smith distinguished himself by gallantry in action during the period 8 April 1972 to 9 April 1972 while serving as Regional Forces/Popular Forces Advisor, Advisory Team 90, Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam. Captain Smith was accompanying a Regional Force company on an airmobile combat assault on Nui Ba Den to recapture the United States and Regional Forces compounds and rescue United States personnel trapped within a bunker in the United States radio relay site which had been overrun by an estimated battalion size North Vietnamese Army sapper force. The airmobile assault was complicated by an extremely small landing zone, allowing only one helicopter at a time to land, thus presenting each helicopter as an isolated and exposed target. Each helicopter in the initial assault drew intense ground fire, resulting in serious injury to one pilot, one door gunner, and two Regional Forces soldiers. Captain Smith called for airstrikes on suspected enemy positions. Two hours later, a second heliborne combat assault force was dispatched. Again each helicopter drew heavy fire and three additional helicopters were damaged. Inspired by the courageous example of Captain smith, the Regional Forces soldiers exited the helicopters, moved across the fire-swept area, and took up positions to return fire on enemy emplacements around the landing Zone. After the area was neutralized Captain Smith gathered a platoon of Regional Forces soldiers and organized the treacherous assault to the United States compound located at the top of the mountain. As the Regional Forces soldiers approached the United States compound bunkers they were subjected to intense mortar, B-40 rocket and automatic weapons fire. Captain Smith, once again without regard for his own personal safety, moved with the forward element through the intense barrage, to continue the advance on the compound. As Captain Smith moved forward to bring out the personnel, the North Vietnamese Army unleashed their most intense attack of the action with mortars, B-40 and B-41 rockets, automatic weapons, and recoilless rifle fire, in an attempt to kill all United States personnel. Fully cognizant that darkness was rapidly approaching and that the North Vietnamese Army were trying desperately to end the battle, Captain Smith called in air strikes around the compound perimeter. After the air strikes, the beleaguered United States personnel were rescued and escorted to safety on the lower part of the mountain. Captain Smith then returned to the top of the mountain to continue to coordinate the Regional Forces attack on the enemy force. Throughout the night Captain Smith continually exposed himself to heavy mortar and automatic weapons fire to direct the unit’s fire on enemy positions. Captain Smith’s conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroic actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.