The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant H. J. Smith (MCSN: 0-23108), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Company D, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Seoul Area of Korea on 24 September 1950. With the fighting strength of his company severely reduced by heavy casualties suffered under punishing hostile rifle and automatic weapons fire, First Lieutenant Smith was ordered to assault and seize the enemy-held high ground to the front. Although pinned down on three sides by enemy forces vastly superior in numbers and fire power, he quickly mustered all available men, including the seventeen men remaining of two of his three rifle platoons, forward observers and machine gunners, and led this small but aggressive group of only forty-four men into the assault against an estimated five to seven hundred well dug-in and well camouflaged hostile troops. Out in front without benefit of cover of any kind, he moved forward, shouting encouragement to his men and directing them in the attack until he was fatally struck down by enemy automatic weapons fire after advancing about two hundred yards. Inspired to heroic endeavor by their leader’s courage and fighting spirit, twenty-six of his men were able to drive to the top of Hill 90 and seize it. First Lieutenant Smith’s forceful leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.