The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Lieutenant (Coast Artillery Corps) Paul N. Smith, United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, on 5 September 1944, at Hueco, New Mexico. On that date, Lieutenant Smith voluntarily entered the pit of a 40-mm. gun where an explosion had occurred, jumped on the gun platform and extinguished the flames, using his hands and sand from the gun parapet. He had been acting as “line of metal” safety officer at the time of the explosion, and notwithstanding the fact that a loose high-explosive projectile as well as several cartridges lay in the flames subject to immediate detonation, he unhesitatingly risked his life in order to smother the fire. The heroism displayed by Lieutenant Smith on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.