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 Staff Sergeant Edward M. Smith (ASN: 20407386), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 230th Field Artillery Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy during the period 10 June 1944 to 12 June 1944, in France. Staff Sergeant Smith was a member of a forward observer party advancing with an infantry unit. When an enemy shell hit the vehicle in which Staff Sergeant Smith was riding and seriously wounded a comrade, Staff Sergeant Smith administered first aid and delivered the casualty to an aid station. Later, when he and an officer were advancing on foot in enemy territory, and they were pinned down by enemy fire, Staff Sergeant Smith voluntarily exposed himself to divert all fire to himself, thereby enabling the officer to escape. Staff Sergeant Smith’s inspirational devotion to duty and unselfish loyalty to a comrade at the sacrifice of his own lives reserves for him a niche in the gallery of American heroes. 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.