The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Max D. Smith, Jr. (MCSN: 0-16926), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Platoon Leader of Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 15 June 1944. Painfully wounded on his approach to the beach in an amphibian tractor on D-Day, First Lieutenant Smith steadfastly refused evacuation and, gallantly carrying on in the face of the enemy’s unceasing barrages, boldly led his men through the most critical stage of the battle. Subsequently ordered to leave the area for medical treatment, he unloaded cases of extra ammunition from the tractor in which he was to be evacuated then manned the vehicle’s machine gun to cover the inland advance of his platoon. Returning to duty following a short period of convalescence, he continued to lead his platoon in sustained aggressive attacks against a fanatic enemy until the successful completion of the campaign. His daring initiative, his forceful and inspiring leadership and great personal valor maintained throughout the fierce hostilities reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Smith and the United States Naval Service.