The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Gary Mark Smith, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Republic F-105D Thunderchief Pilot as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot of the 333d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 5 May 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Smith was number four of a four-ship flight directed against a highly important and heavily defended railroad yard. Disregarding heavy flak directly over the target, Lieutenant Smith made a precise dive bomb run and placed his ordnance exactly on target. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Smith reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

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 Gary Mark Smith, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105D Pilot as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot of the 333d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 10 March 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Smith was number two man on a combat support mission against the steel mill south of Thai Nygen, North Vietnam. With unwavering calmness, Lieutenant Smith dove his aircraft directly through the extremely heavy flak with complete disregard for his own personal safety to deliver his ordnance directly on target. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Smith reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Gary Mark Smith, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F4D Aircraft Commander as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot of the 333d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 28 November 1968. On that date, Captain Smith flew an important tactical combat mission as a Forward Air Controller against a heavily defended highway transportation and supply network. In the face of almost overwhelming ground fire, Captain Smith was instrumental in destroying a truck park and two heavily traveled fords and dispersing a storage area. As a result of Captain Smith’s outstanding performance, the flow of material to be used against friendly forces in South Vietnam was significantly impeded and an important military aircraft was saved despite severe battle damage. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Smith reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Gary Mark Smith, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105D Thunderchief Pilot as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot of the 333d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 26 February 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Smith flew number four of a four-ship flight which struck a hostile ammunition storage area. Arriving over the solidly overcast target he and his flight went down through the weather to attack the target under an extremely low ceiling. Working with Forward Air Controller, Lieutenant Smith made a difficult level bomb delivery, placing some of his bombs inside the caves in the face of a cliff where the ammunition was hidden. With the remainder of the bombs hitting the cave openings, the total effect was complete destruction of the storage area. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Smith reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.