The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel George William Smith (MCSN: 0-50104), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving in various capacities with the THIRD Marine Division from 20 October 1968 to 14 October 1969. Throughout this period, Lieutenant Colonel Smith performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Initially assigned as Commanding Officer of the First battalion, Ninth Marines, he skillfully led his battalion in a series of major combat operations which significantly reduced the enemy’s manpower and materiel assets in the northern sector of the I Corps Tactical Zone. Boldly moving to forward positions, Lieutenant Colonel Smith disregarded his own safety as he directed his companies in pursuit of large North Vietnamese forces and coordinated the delivery of supporting arms fire against areas known to contain hostile sanctuaries and supply depots. Under his dynamic leadership, his battalion accounted for numerous enemy soldiers killed and was instrumental in thwarting plans for large-scale offensives against friendly positions. Assuming duties as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Task Force HOTEL, Lieutenant Colonel Smith ably coordinated and supervised the activities of his staff and rendered invaluable assistance in developing plans for seven major combat operations, including Operations PURPLE MARTIN and UTAH MESA. Reassigned as a Special Projects Officer in the Office of the Assistant Division Commander on 11 July 1969, and concurrently serving as Base Coordinator of the Quang Tri Combat Base, he continued to perform his exacting duties in a superior manner. His resolute determination and indomitable fighting spirit earned the respect and admiration of all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his command’s mission. By his leadership, extraordinary professionalism, and unflagging devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Smith rendered distinguished service to his country and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Smith is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
July 1976 – July 1977
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General George William Smith (MCSN: 0-50104), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, from July 1976 to July 1977. A dynamic and innovative leader, Major General Smith increased the combat readiness of the Division, ensuring its ability to participate in operations in the Western Pacific Command Area. Through his institution of new personnel staffing procedures, innovative maintenance management programs, and superb individual and mission-oriented training programs, an increased combat readiness was accomplished despite manpower reductions, severe logistical constraints, and organizational turbulence caused by the Combat Services Support reorganization. These actions and his personal emphasis on leadership and career development aided overall Marine Corps quality and readiness. Major General Smith’s distinctive accomplishments, perceptive judgment, and steadfast dedication to duty contributed immeasurably to the success of the Division’s readiness mission; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
9th MarinesDivision:
3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
February 10 – March 18, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel George William Smith (MCSN: 0-50104), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 10 February to 18 March 1969. On 10 February Lieutenant Colonel Smith displayed superb leadership and an intrepid fighting spirit as he launched his phase of the operation in preparation for his regiment’s drive south to the Laotian border during Operation DEWEY CANYON and boldly led his battalion in a series of brilliant actions in the southern Da Krong Valley in western Quang Tri Province. On 13 February, the First Battalion was moving through rugged mountains into triple-canopied jungle and maneuvering along two parallel precipitous ridgelines against increased hostile resistance when the lead company was pinned down by intense enemy fire. Realizing the urgency of maintaining the momentum of the attack, Lieutenant Colonel Smith, undaunted by the hostile rounds impacting near him, unhesitatingly moved across the fire-swept terrain to a dangerously exposed forward position where he could more advantageously observe and control supporting arms fire and aggressive assaults which routed the North Vietnamese Army force. Immediately establishing a landing zone for the extraction of the wounded he repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire while moving about the hazardous area to coordinate and personally direct the medical evacuation of the casualties. During the ensuing days, elements of his battalion successfully engaged and repulsed the enemy in a succession of both aggressive attacks and defensive actions which carried the battalion to its objective, Hill 1044. Nearing the objective on 26 February, Lieutenant Colonel Smith skillfully maneuvered one of his infantry companies in a passage of lines and into a final assault that routed the North Vietnamese and resulted in the seizure of the objective and the capture of one of the largest caches of enemy weapons, ammunitions and equipment uncovered thus far in the Vietnam conflict. Consolidating his position, he then employed his battalion as a covering force for another friendly unit until 18 March, when he commenced the extraction of his companies. Despite the hostile fire directed against the command group and the landing zone, not a single aircraft was lost while the Marines sustained a minimum of casualties. Lieutenant Colonel Smith contributed immeasurably to the success of his battalion’s mission by his courage, bold initiative and unswerving devotion to duty and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.