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 Rex B. Smith (ASN: 12158174), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Waist Gunner of a Bomber Airplane of the 331st Bombardment Squadron, 94th Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, on a heavy bombardment mission to Brunswick, Germany, on 10 February 1944. So seriously wounded in both legs he was unable to stand when his aircraft was attacked on the bomb run by FW-190s, he propped himself against his guns and continued firing with such accuracy that he destroyed at least one fighter in the first attack. With two engines completely knocked out, another delivering only partial power, and a fire in the wing, the pilot gave the bail-out signal. Sergeant Smith was carried to the waist door, where he was wounded in the groin by 20-mm. fire in an unsuccessful attempt to salvo the door and provide a means of escape for himself and his companions, Before he could do so, the aircraft had been brought back under control with the wing fire out. Sergeant Smith, deliberately refusing first aid for his wounds, was carried back to his position, where he again propped himself up and manned his guns so accurately that he destroyed another enemy fighter. In the course of the third attack, this gallant soldier was wounded in both legs and one arm, but he remained at his post until the aircraft was crash-landed in a field near the border of Holland, where he was captured by the Germans. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Smith, 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 Air Forces.