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 [then Private First Class] Izadore C. Smith (ASN: 6359758), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 17 January 1945, in Belgium. When intense enemy machine gun fire suddenly pinned their company down in an open snow-covered field, Staff Sergeant Smith and two comrades gallantly drew the enemy fire to themselves by firing on a vulnerable machine gun position. Although the enemy fire came extremely close, they continued firing until the bulk of the company had withdrawn from the field, thereby preventing numerous casualties. Staff Sergeant Smith, by his great heroism, helped kill five of the enemy and allowed his company to extricate itself from a precarious situation. 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.