Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General William Young Smith, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Deputy Commander in Chief, European Command, from 1981 to 1983. The distinctive accomplishments of General Smith reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
49th Fighter-Bomber WingAction Date:
February 2, 1952
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain William Young Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Element Leader of a flight of four (4) F-84 type aircraft, 49th Fighter Bomber Wing, in Korea in 1952. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
49th Fighter-Bomber GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
February 2, 1952
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 232 (May 15,1952)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain William Young Smith (AFSN: 17775A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations as Pilot of an F-84 Thunderjet Fighter Bomber and as Element Leader of a flight of four (4) F-84 type aircraft of 49th Fighter-Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action on an interdiction mission at Chongju, Korea, on 2 February 1952. As Captain Smith led his element on a dive bomb attack through intense anti-aircraft fire on an important rail line, a large anti-aircraft shell ripped through the fuselage of his aircraft, severing his right foot at the ankle. Despite shock and loss of blood, Captain Smith successfully completed his attack and made a wheels-up, deadstick landing behind enemy lines. Although intense pain from his injury made all movements extremely difficult, he crawled thirty yards to a boulder and evaded enemy troops for approximately one hour until he was rescued and returned to enemy territory. Captain Smith’s outstanding airmanship and coolness during this hazardous incident reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesUnder the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General William Young Smith, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Assistant to the Chairman, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from 1975 to 1979. The distinctive accomplishments of General Smith reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General William Young Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Military Attach, Secretary of the Air Force, from 1968 to 1971. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Smith and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General William Young Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Director, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, European Command, from 1974 to 1975. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Smith and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General William Young Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 603d Wing, Germany, from 1967 to 1968. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Smith and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.