The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Tolson A. Smoak (MCSN: 0-6917), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 14 March 1945. When his battalion suffered extremely heavy losses while fighting against a fanatically defended enemy pocket of resistance, Major Smoak thoroughly reorganized his command and laid plans for a coordinated attack. As the attack was about to jump off, he was severely wounded in the head and shoulder and his right arm was rendered useless. Although in a state of severe shock as a result of his wounds, he refused evacuation and issued orders to the next in command to carry on until he was able to resume control. Returning to the front lines within three hours, he guided subordinate units and coordinated the attack by moving between the front line companies, spurring his men to greater efforts and contributing materially to the annihilation of the last organized Japanese defenses on the island. His indomitable spirit, aggressive leadership and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.