The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Richard D. Smith (ASN: 0-65158), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 10th Field Artillery Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Korea. On 28 February 1952, Lieutenant Smith voluntarily piloted an unarmed liaison type aircraft, twelve miles beyond the Division’s main line of resistance in the vicinity of Tuhyon-dong, Korea, to reconnoiter and direct the fire of friendly artillery on enemy built-up areas. Skillfully flying through intense anti-aircraft and machine-gun fire, he was constantly forced to use evasive maneuvers to escape the lethal hail. Locating a large supply and troop concentration area, he accurately directed the fire of friendly long range guns with excellent results, scoring ten direct hits and causing approximately sixty percent enemy supply losses and heavy personnel losses. Knowing fully that should his plane become disabled he would be unable to return to friendly lines, Lieutenant Smith nevertheless remained over hostile territory, searching for any profitable target. Locating another enemy supply area, he so accurately directed fire that it was effectively demolished. He continued his fire direction for a period of three hours before a failure in the radio transmitter prevented his further contact with friendly artillery. Lieutenant Smith’s gallantry and exemplary skill reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.