The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Air Corps) Frederic Harrison Smith, Jr. (ASN: 0-15308/A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility with the FIFTH Air Force in New Guinea, from 12 August 1942 to 23 January 1943. When an advanced echelon of Headquarters FIFTH Air Force was established in New Guinea in the early stages of the Papuan Campaign, in order to coordinate air operations against the enemy land and air offensive then in progress, Colonel Smith as Deputy Chief of Staff, FIFTH Air Force, was charged with the organization of an operational staff. With limited facilities and only a small number of young officers inexperienced in staff duties, he overcame numerous difficulties and welded this personnel into an efficient and smoothly working staff, which coordinated effectively the combined employment of fighter, bombing, and troop-carrier units operating from hastily organized and incomplete advanced bases. Colonel Smith contributed outstandingly, by his competent organization and supervision of this staff, to the marked success of the air operations against enemy air and naval forces and, in close cooperation with friendly ground units, against enemy ground forces and installations during the Papuan Campaign. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Smith and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.