The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Walter M. Smith (MCSN: 505185), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad leader of Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Mariana Islands, 24 July 1944. Landing with his squad on a small beach under intense hostile machine-gun and sniper fire, Sergeant Smith coolly gained control of his men and led them across the beach, although many Marines were pinned down by the accurate enemy fire. While directing attacks on several Japanese positions, he personally cleared out three known pockets of resistance, using hand grenades and a carbine. After being wounded by hostile fire, Sergeant Smith carried on for another thirty minutes, directing his men in destroying two more positions and in seeking out the enemy in the area adjacent to the landing beach, until he lost consciousness. His outstanding leadership, courageous conduct under fire and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.