The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Coy E. Smith (MCSN: 2370683), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. At 1400 on 5 February 1969, during a search and destroy operation in an area approximately seventeen miles southeast of the Vandegrift Combat Base, Company G came under intense fire from a large, well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force and sustained numerous casualties. During the initial exchange of fire, Lance Corporal Smith was wounded in the side and leg by an enemy rifle grenade. Obviously in severe pain, he nevertheless skillfully maneuvered his fire team through the deadly hail of hostile fire to a defensible position and directed an aggressive assault on the enemy’s flank. Although wounded again by enemy sniper fire, Lance Corporal Smith steadfastly refused medical aid and led his men across the fire-swept terrain to reinforce a fire-team on his right, which was under heavy fire from an automatic weapons position directly to its front. Continuing his heroic efforts, he directed his team’s fire with extreme accuracy and was instrumental in silencing the automatic weapon and driving the hostile soldiers from their entrenched position. His extraordinary fortitude and bold fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the overwhelming defeat of a numerically superior enemy force. By his courage, superb leadership, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Smith upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.