The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Douglas Elwin Smith (NSN: 0-59535), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the River Gunboat U.S.S. OAHU (PG-6), in combat against the enemy from 7 December 1941 through 2 April 1942, in the Philippine Islands. While exposed to frequent horizontal and dive bombing attacks by enemy Japanese air forces, Lieutenant Commander Smith directed the anti-aircraft batteries of his ship and conducted operations of strategic importance involving hazardous missions such as to bring great credit to his command and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.