The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Charles F. Smith, Jr. (MCSN: 1137771), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman of Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 17 July 1953. When the patrol leader, assistant patrol leader and radioman were seriously wounded, temporarily leaving the patrol without a leader or communication, during an attack from the front and flanks by a numerically superior enemy force far forward of the main line of resistance, Private First Class Smith quickly repaired the damaged radio aerial in order to inform the company commander of the situation and then accurately called in friendly mortar fire on the enemy, thereby permitting the patrol to reorganize. Observing that a proper defense was still needed, he skillfully organized the patrol in a perimeter defense and, assigning members of the squad to evacuation teams, led the patrol back to friendly lines. Upon returning, he discovered that four members of the unit were missing and unhesitatingly volunteered to take a detail back to the endangered area, succeeding in bringing the missing men back to the main line of resistance. By his aggressiveness, skilled leadership and courageous initiative, Private First Class Smith served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.