The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Halsey W. Smith, Jr. (MCSN: 1106123), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader of Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 8 and 9 April 1952. When his combat patrol was subjected to heavy mortar, machine gun and small arms fire from a well-entrenched enemy force, Sergeant Smith immediately deployed his men and, leading his unit in a vigorous assault against the hostile troops, repeatedly attacked the entrenchments, skillfully firing his rifle and hurling hand grenades into the enemy positions. Effectively reorganizing his group when the patrol leader became a casualty, he bravely led them forward to reinforce the base of fire. Although painfully wounded, he carried out three trips under intense enemy fire to search for the wounded patrol leader and, as the unit moved to more favorable positions, assisted in carrying casualties across flooded rice paddies under enemy fire to a forward aid station. By his inspiring courage, outstanding leadership and selfless devotion to duty, Sergeant Smith contributed materially to the successful evacuation of the wounded and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.