The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Signalman First Class Chester B. Smith, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action against Communist insurgent forces in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with River Patrol Section 531, River Squadron FIVE, Task Force 116 (TF-116), on 11 December 1966. As Patrol Officer on a PBR combat patrol on the Mekong River, Petty Officer Smith pursued a sampan, with three Viet Cong aboard, into a narrow canal where the sampan’s occupants, aided by eight other Viet Cong along the canal banks, opened fire on the patrol boat. Petty Officer Smith promptly directed his crew in returning suppressive fire which accounted for eight Viet Cong killed. Bringing in his cover boat from the main river, Petty Officer Smith reentered the canal where he came upon a company-size Viet Cong force preparing to board forty sampans. The enemy opened fire on the patrol boats, but were completely repulsed and demoralized by Petty Officer Smith’s sudden attack, causing them to retreat in confusion. At least two of the enemy were confirmed as killed. While still returning the heavy fire the Viet Cong were directing at him, Petty Officer Smith systematically destroyed their water transport and equipment. After extracting his patrol to rearm, he reentered the canal for a third time and personally directed his machine gunners in silencing six enemy weapons positions. Petty Officer Smith then vectored a U. S. Navy helicopter in a rocket run on a cleverly camouflaged bunker. A large secondary explosion resulted, completely destroying an enemy ammunition cache. When the overall four-hour engagement had ended, Petty Officer Smith’s PBR’s had accounted for fifteen enemy confirmed killed, twenty-eight enemy sampans sunk, twelve damaged, three captured, and an enemy ammunition cache destroyed. His daringly aggressive actions, outstanding initiative, extraordinary courage, and gallant leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.