The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Maurice R. Smith (ASN: O-192545), United States Army Air Service, for gallantry in action against the enemy while Commanding the 5th Balloon Company, United States Air Service, in action at Dieuloard, France, during the St. Mihiel offensive from 12 – 14 September 1918. As a company commander he was not required to perform observation missions, but as one of the most experienced observers he always scheduled himself in regular turn for such duty. On the first day of the great battle, 12 September, he went aloft at daybreak and for several hours, after a windstorm had grounded both friendly and enemy balloons, made important observations and spotted many enemy batteries against which he directed successful counterfire. Two days later, he went up to regulate 15-inch-gun fire on the well-defiladed, vital Moselle river bridge at Metz, 14 miles away, operating at extreme height without regard for enemy fighters lurking nearby. He had adjusted fire on the bridge when a German airplane dived out of the clouds, attacked his balloon, and set it afire. Despite a nerve-shattering descent in which the flaming balloon barely missed his parachute, he immediately ordered the preparation of new equipment and went aloft again that day to complete his mission. Colonel Smith’s gallantry was an inspiration to his comrades and his service a definite contribution to the success of a great operation.