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 Private Cecil Lee Smith, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 363d Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 2 October 1944, near Monghidoro, Italy. Private Smith was a member of an infantry platoon which had been called upon to neutralize a group of enemy machine gun nests. One enemy machine gun was delivering such intense fire that it was impossible for the platoon to maneuver. Despite the constant machine gun and sniper fire, Private Smith courageously crawled to within 75 yards of the enemy position. With a rifle grenade, he calmly took careful aim and with the first grenade made a direct hit on the enemy emplacement, neutralizing its fire and allowing the platoon to complete its mission. When Private Smith rejoined his platoon he was assigned to a flank patrol which shortly came under a heavy enemy mortar barrage. The first shell landed so close to Private Smith that he was knocked unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he saw that all members of the patrol had been killed except another soldier, who had been seriously wounded, and himself. Private Smith could see that if this soldier were not brought immediately to safety, he would be hit again. So, for the second time that day, fearlessly subjecting himself to heavy enemy fire, he carefully and tediously managed to carry his wounded comrade to safety. Private Smith was killed in action on the following day. Private Smith’s willingness to accept extreme danger in order to carry out a mission and to risk his life for a helpless comrade exemplify the humanity and gallantry which make him a credit and inspiration to the Armed Forces of the United States.