The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Ralph Arthur Smith (NSN: 0-320896), United States Naval Reserve, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy as Pilot of a night attack plane attached to Composite Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VC-35), on board the U.S.S. BOXER (CV-21), on 7 July 1953. While flying a night interdiction mission over Communist-held North Korea against enemy transportation facilities in the Anbyon area, Lieutenant Smith discovered a long string of truck traffic on a highway running through the heavily-defended valley south of Anbyon. Disregarding the extreme hazards concerned, he commenced bombing attacks by flare-light through extremely accurate anti-aircraft fire, and though hit in one wing by an explosive 20-mm. shell, succeeded in blowing up and destroying fifteen trucks loaded with vital supplies for attacking front-line troops. Running the gamut of well over one hundred anti-aircraft guns situated along the valley, Lieutenant Smith, knowing full-well that the element of surprise would be gone, and that by then every gun would be manned and firing, reversed his course and flew backup the valley through his own flare-light, and though his plane was hit again by an explosive shell, succeeded in destroying at least ten more loaded trucks with accurate bombing and strafing attacks. By his outstanding airmanship and extraordinary courage in the face of overwhelming opposition, Lieutenant Smith incalculably assisted the combat efforts of the United Nations Forces then under attack all along the front lines. His daring initiative and steadfast devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.