The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Chief Quartermaster Theodore Smith (NSN: 7497283), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. On 8 November 1968, Chief Petty Officer Smith was serving as patrol officer for a PBR unit acting as blocking force and support unit for a Vietnamese Intelligence Squad with United States Marine Advisors on the Nga Ba River, a marshy area of many small streams known to be a Viet Cong stronghold. He had discovered one claymore mine and destroyed six enemy sampans and was proceeding out of the area upon completion of the operation when his boats came under heavy attack. The cover boat received two direct rocket hits wounding the entire crew. As his two boats cleared the kill zone, he leaped aboard the crippled PBR to provide medical assistance. He was directing his patrol out of the area when they again came under heavy attack, and he fell mortally wounded. Chief Petty Officer Smith’s outstanding professionalism, sense of responsibility and courageous actions under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.