The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Dale M. Smith, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Battery B, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Smith distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Hagaru-ri, North Korea, on 5 December 1950. Proceeding south to Koto-ri, the leading elements of the battalion came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from commanding terrain, bitterly defended by a well-fortified hostile force, hating the advance. Lieutenant Smith’s platoon, committed to attack and seize the strategic key terrain, closed with the enemy and, in the bitter fighting that ensued, was pinned down by withering fire. Deploying other members of the platoon in strategic positions, Lieutenant Smith led four men with carbines and grenades in a daring frontal assault against the enemy position and, firing carbines and throwing grenades with deadly accuracy, the valiant group routed the enemy from the strongpoint. Lieutenant Smith’s inspirational leadership and intrepid actions resulted in the capture of approximately one hundred and fifty prisoners, numerous wounded, and enabled the battalion to continue its march. The extraordinary heroism displayed by First Lieutenant Smith on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.