The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Thomas J. Smith (ASN: 39947), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on 6 June 1918, near Chateau-Thierry, France. After having been severely wounded, Corporal Smith remained with his platoon, encouraging and urging on men in the absence of their platoon sergeant, who had been killed.