The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Laverne Norris Smith (ASN: RA-17270103), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy in Korea. On the morning of 16 July 1950, the Second Platoon, Heavy Mortar Company, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division was in support of Company C which was subjected to a number of attacks by enemy infantry. After a number of such attacks had been repulsed, the enemy succeeded in flanking the position of Company C and attacked between the rear of that organization and the heavy mortar positions. Since the enemy was inside heavy mortar range, the platoon defended its perimeter position with small arms fire. When the position became untenable, the Platoon Leader gave the order to withdraw. Private Smith, and three other soldiers, although unwounded and perfectly able to withdraw volunteered to remain in the platoon position and hold off the enemy while the rest of the platoon withdrew. During the time the platoon was withdrawing, Private Smith and his companions repulsed two assaults, killing at least nineteen of the enemy. Defying odds of about thirty-to-one these soldiers enabled the main body of the platoon to withdraw and to take their wounded with them. On the final enemy assault their position was overrun and all were killed.