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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Edwin P. Smith, Jr. (NSN: 0-412097), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Wave Guide while attached to Underwater Demolition Team ONE during the amphibious assault against Inchon, Korea, on 15 September 1950. As LVT Wave Guido for the first assault wave on the Blue Beach area, he contributed greatly to the precise timing and coordination with which these operations were stages. When it was found necessary to divert waves scheduled for Blue Beach ONE, he remained in the immediate vicinity of the beach under enemy fire and personally guided successive waves to Blue Beach THREE. When a hospital boat making an attempt to evacuate a casualty from the left flank of Beach ONE was driven off by hostile fire Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Smith directed the beaching of his assault boat to remove the casualty and transferred him to the hospital boat off shore. Upon completion of the assault phase, he led rescue boats and evacuated a detachment of the landing force from the seawall of the Inchon Tidal Basin, while under enemy fire. His inspiring leadership, courage, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Action Date:

    October 6 – 8, 1950
    Commander Naval Forces Far East: Serial 7431 (December 18, 1950)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Edwin P. Smith, Jr. (NSN: 0-412097), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while attached to Commander Transport Division ONE ELEVEN for temporary duty from Underwater Demolition Team ONE, Lieutenant, Junior Grade Smith was detailed to C Troop, Forty-First Independent Commando, Royal Marines. He instructed the British Royal Marines in the use of United States Navy demolitions and supervised the rigging of the demolition charges at the objectives on two night demolition raids on the northeast coast of enemy held Korea during the period 6 October through 8 October 1950. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Smith expertly planned and trained the demolition party for these raids. He personally supervised the rigging of the explosives at the objectives and pulled the time fuses. As a result of his skillful, determined and courageous actions during the two raids, one railroad bridge was destroyed and two railroad tunnels were seriously damaged. His skill, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Action Date:

    August 12 – 16, 1950
    Commander Naval Forces Far East: Serial 6500 (November 17, 1950)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Edwin P. Smith, Jr. (NSN: 0-412097), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Underwater Demolition Team ONE and serving with Special Operations Group, Amphibious Group ONE, Pacific Fleet, in night demolition raids against targets 200 to 300 miles behind enemy lines on the east coast of North Korea during the period 12 to 16 August 1950. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Smith particularly distinguished himself. Serving as a scout and swimmer for the Special Operations Group, he swam ashore from a rubber boat in the face of unknown enemy opposition, reconnoitered each objective area and then signaled the balance of the raiding group to land their rubber boats. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Smith then supervised the rigging of each objective for demolition and remained ashore after the raider group had left the beach to pull fuses and initiate each explosion. As a result of his conspicuous and outstanding bravery during three demolition raids, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Smith materially assisted in the destruction of three railroad tunnels and two railroad bridges along the enemy main coastal line of supply and communications. His bravery, gallantry, and outstanding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.