The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Charles L. Smith, United States Army Air Forces, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in the European Theater of Operations on 12 October 1944. Resolute determination and a high degree of tactical skill characterized Lieutenant Smith’s leadership of his squadron in the reduction of strong points in the Siegfried Line near Prum, Germany. Heavy cloud cover rendered the mission exceedingly difficult to execute, but Lieutenant Smith displayed outstanding tenacity and aerial ability in leading each flight separately in the destruction of a heavily fortified position. Lieutenant Smith’s resourcefulness and unswerving devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.