The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Henry J. Smart (MCSN: 0-6276), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Thirteenth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 1 March 1945. After a heavy enemy artillery barrage had set fire to a division ammunition and food dump and a U.S. Army radar station situated in the vicinity of the Regimental Command Post, Major Smart organized fire fighting detail and, braving hostile mortar and artillery fire as well as flying fragments of burning and exploding ammunition which was continuously showering the area, personally directed the activities of this detail at the immediate scene of the fire, thereby preventing the destruction of other large stores of nearby critical materials. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.