The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Leonard Smith (ASN: RA-42148862), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 7 January 1951, at Wonju, Korea. On that date he was a member of an infantry unit while that unit was under attack by a numerically superior enemy force which had succeeded in overrunning the battalion command post. During the close hand-to-hand fighting that followed, Corporal Smith was struck and painfully wounded by an enemy hand grenade. Disregarding completely his wound, he remained at his machine gun against the heavy odds for over two hours and inflicted heavy casualties on the hostile force, He remained at his machine gun, delivering effective fire on the enemy throughout numerous strong attacks, refusing evacuation until the situation was stabilized. His unselfish heroism on this occasion was instrumental in his unit successfully repulsing these extremely strong and determined enemy attacks with a minimum of casualties to itself. The gallant and inspiring conduct of Corporal Smith on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.