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 (Infantry) Murlan F. Smith, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 36th Infantry Division in October 1943. Lieutenant Smith led a group of 50 men to assist the 1st Battalion in crossing the ***** River. On one occasion when this group was working on both sides of the river to transport heavy weapons and other equipment across the river, a raft broke loose. Lieutenant Smith personally re-crossed the river, secured the broken cables and returned to the enemy side under intense fire. He then directed his men back across the river and over 300 yards of terrain open to by-passed enemy machine guns which had daylight observation. Twice more, disregarding his personal safety, he directed other isolated groups back to cover.