Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Action Date:

    March 20, 1944

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 996 (June 23,1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Private First Class Bob W. Smith (MCSN: 529031), United States Marine Corps, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 20 March 1944. When fire broke out and thratened to destroy a 1,000-ton ammunition dump, he responded immediately to a call for fire fighters, accompanying his unit in maneuvering their equipment into a strategic, though perilous, position in the midst of exploding ammunition. Disregarding personal safety, Private Smith kept working until the blaze was under control and finally extinguished. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Private First Class Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.