Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Cavalry)

    Regiment:

    67th Armored Regiment

    Division:

    2d Armored Division

    Action Date:

    August 6, 1944

    Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 23 (February 23, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Cavalry) Harold Dean Smith (ASN: 0-452646), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, Reconnaissance Company, 67th Armored Regiment, 2d Armored Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 6 August 1944. Captain Smith, due to the tactical situation at hand, left his company and went forward on foot to reconnoiter strong enemy positions. Approaching a crossroad strongly-held by the enemy, he was met by heavy enemy fire. Friendly infantry which had been attacking these positions had suffered severe casualties. He proposed to carry a number of the wounded infantrymen to comparative safety and remained in this work of assisting the wounded after all friendly troops had withdrawn. A short time later, he returned to his company, and calmly resumed command, proceeding with the execution of a mission newly assigned to his company.