The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Army Award) to Lieutenant George W. Smith, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight for his ingenuity, planning and excellent timing, on 13 August 1942. While acting in the capacity of Pilot of a Navy Patrol Plane in the 43d Patrol Squadron, Lieutenant Smith rescued the remaining six survivors of an Army B-24 bomber which was shot down two days previously by enemy fighters on Semisophochnoi Island in the Aleutian chain. The principle Japanese operating base lay not more than seventy-five miles away, whereas Lieutenant Smith’s home base was over six hundred miles from the Island. Weather conditions, distance and known presence of enemy aircraft and submarines made the rescue extremely hazardous. Facing these obstacles with commendable persistence, technique and fortitude, as well as disregard for his own personal safety, his action reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Navy.