The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Corporal Thomas W. Smith (MCSN: 322818), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action at New Georgia, Solomon Islands in voluntarily swimming across a lagoon under severe enemy fire to convey and bring back a message from friendly troops when his platoon lost contact with the company on 20 July 1943.