The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander Clare Brown Smiley (NSN: 0-71410), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. EBERLE (DD-430), during the amphibious invasion of Southern France in August and September 1944. While carrying out his assignment to screen capital gunfire support ships in the Saint Mandrier-Glens Area, Commander Smiley executed the effective bombardment of targets of opportunity on numerous occasions, delivering heavy and accurate interdiction fire against nests of small boats in the harbor, thereby preventing the escape of the enemy garrison from the island. Subsequently he bravely conducted numerous highly effective gunfire support missions along the France-Italian Riviera, inflicting severe damage on hostile gun installations and contributing materially to the ultimate defeat of the enemy in that area. His courageous initiative, resourceful command and unswerving devotion to duty under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Clare Brown Smiley (NSN: 0-71410), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Executive Officer on board the U.S.S. STEWART (DD-224) in action against a greatly superior Japanese Naval force in the Badoeng Strait, off the Island of Bali, Netherlands East Indies, on the night of 19 – 20 February 1942. At the outset of the engagement, after releasing torpedoes to port and commencing gunfire, STEWART was subjected to vigorous shelling by a Japanese cruiser and a destroyer. When a salvo from the cruiser eventually straddled its target and numerous shell fragments from “shorts” pierced the bridge, Lieutenant Commander Smiley was severely wounded. Despite the fact that his right leg was broken and he was bleeding profusely, he persisted in carrying on with utter disregard for his own personal safety until, during a slight lull between two phases of the night’s action, his Commanding Officer overrode his protests and ordered him carried below. His inspiring devotion to duty and courageous conduct under extreme physical pain were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.