The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Warrant Officer Donald V. Smith (MCSN: 0-33198), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Motor Transport Officer of the Second 155-mm. Howitzer Battalion, First provisional Field Artillery Group, Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 20 February 1945. While assisting with the unloading of an LST, Warrant Officer Smith braved intense hostile mortar, machine-gun and sniper fire to expedite the unloading. When an intense enemy artillery concentration on the ramp of the ship made further unloading impossible, he boldly went out on the ramp to guide and LVT aboard, thereby saving it from the destruction which befell a similar vehicle parked alongside it. Returning to the ramp which was still drawing the enemy’s fire, he cut the line to which held the bow doors open and, by enabling the doors to be closed, diverted the possibility of the spread of a fire caused by the burning LVT on the beach to the ammunition-laden interior of the tank deck. By his daring initiative, courage and steadfast devotion to duty, Warrant Officer Smith upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.