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 Private First Class Joseph E. Smith, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Private First Class Smith distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sokkogae, Korea, on 16 April 1953. On that date, Private Smith, was on a listening post forward of the main line of resistance on his first day in combat when an enemy force launched an assault. When he was ordered to withdraw to a more tenable position, Private Smith, experiencing his first day in combat, moved back and voluntarily manned a light machine-gun. Under a heavy barrage of artillery, mortar, and small arms fire, Private Smith laid down a withering hail of fire, annihilating at least eight of the enemy who stormed his position. Seeing that the hostile forces had gained the high ground inside the trench line, he moved from his position, throwing hand grenades up-slope and firing his weapon, and on several occasions moved into close hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. He fought constantly and with vigor until his ammunition was expended. Then, with two comrades, Private Smith rolled about fifteen yards down-slope and remained perfectly still for a period of more than four hours while hostile troops moved through the position, at one time stumbling over them, mistaking them for dead. When the allied counterattack commenced, Private Smith joined in the attack and again fought courageously until the position was reoccupied and secured. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Private First Class Smith on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.