The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Bobby G. Smith (MCSN: 1166582), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Heavy Machine Gun Ammunition Carrier of Weapons Company, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 15 September 1951. With his section occupying the extreme point of the battalion’s ridgeline position during a night-long series of vicious hostile assaults, Private First Class Smith obtained an automatic rifle from a wounded comrade and, firing his weapon with deadly accuracy, continued to defend the position despite the apparent hopelessness of the situation. Although all friendly troops within one hundred yards of him had become casualties and enemy hand grenades had eliminated one friendly machine gun, he moved from one foxhole to another, deceiving the enemy in regard to the strength of the line and providing protective fire on both sides of the one machine gun remaining in operation. Continuing his fearless combat tactics until dawn, Private First Class Smith contributed materially to the infliction of heavy casualties upon the enemy and to the successful defense of the friendly position. His indomitable fighting spirit, exceptional courage and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.