The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Second Lieutenant] Paul Clifford Smith (MCSN: 0-27846), United States Naval Reserve (formerly United States Marine Corps Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commander of a Rifle Platoon in Company C, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Guam, Marianas, on 26 July, 1944. Although his own platoon had been reduced by combat losses to twenty-five men, Commander (the Second Lieutenant) Smith instantly responded to an urgent request for assistance from the Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, when that unit’s Command Post on Fonte Hill above the Asan Beach was pinned down and inoperative under siege by Japanese forces attacking with rifles, machine guns and mortars. Determined to destroy the enemy and insure the security of the fiercely contested Fonte Hill position, Commander Smith personally reconnoitered under heavy machine-gun, mortar and small-arms fire and ordered a tactically sound flanking maneuver. Effectively deploying his small force, he launched a furious counterattack into the enemy’s machine-gun and grenade discharger fire, completely annihilating the besieged Japanese troops within an hour and without casualty to his own platoon. A brilliant leader and fighter, Commander Smith inspired his men to heroic effort during the critical stage of a vital operation and, by his professional skill, personal valor and unrelenting aggressiveness in the face of fanatic opposition, contributed essentially to the ultimate capture and return to United States Sovereignty of this Pacific Base. His conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon Commander Smith and the United States Naval Service.