Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 5, 1950

    Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 243 (December 6, 1950)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Robert J. Smith (ASN: RA-15063654), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of 24th Reconnaissance Company, 24th Infantry Division, in action near Suu-dong, Korea on 5 November 1950. The reconnaissance team, with which he was patrolling encountered a group of about twenty of the enemy. Corporal Smith immediately began firing his machine gun on the enemy party, when a second group of the infiltrating enemy attacked from the flank wounding the driver of his vehicle, and causing him to fall to the road. While another man went to the wounded soldier’s aid, Corporal Smith, from his exposed position, poured a hail of deadly fire into the ranks of the advancing enemy. While continuing his fire in an attempt to hold of the enemy, as the team withdrew to the company’s strong point, Corporal Smith was killed. His gallant action and devotion to duty reflect the greatest credit on himself and the United States Armor.