The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) John R. Smoak (ASN: 0-304575), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 3d Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 17 February 1945, in the vicinity of Suelsmacher, Germany. After bypassing strong enemy resistance the 3d Battalion advanced across exposed terrain to its objective. The enemy located the movement and subjected the battalion to an extremely heavy and rapid concentration of mortar fire, thereby causing a number of men to scatter and attempt to take cover. Lieutenant Colonel Smoak remained cool and, realizing that the attack would fail with heavy casualties should the advance be stopped, moved under fire from point to point, urging his troops by words and example to move forward to a safer area. Even after he himself had been knocked to the ground by the concussion of nearby explosions, Lieutenant Colonel Smoak continued his efforts, picking up and rushing toward the objective men who were frozen to the ground. The gallantry, quick evaluation of the hazardous situation, and leadership displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Smoak resulted in the successful completion of a most important mission and reflect high credit upon him and the Armed Forces of the United States.