The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Merlin F. Smith (MCSN: 946710), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Leader of a Machine Gun Squad of Company C, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 10 June 1945. When the entire squad which he was leading up a precipitous slope in support of his company’s attack, became casualties from heavy hostile machine gun and mortar fire, Private First Class Smith shouldered a gun and tripod and, placing a box of ammunition under his arm, continued alone in the face of great danger. Upon reaching the objective, he placed the gun in action and, after further exposing himself by making two additional trips under enemy fire to replace his ammunition supply, was instrumental in neutralizing two hostile automatic weapons. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.