By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D. 1918), Private Benjamin F. Smith (MCSN: 105422), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private Smith distinguished himself while serving with the 47th Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June to 10 July 1918.

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Benjamin F. Smith (MCSN: 105422), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private Smith distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with 47th Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Bois de Belleau, France, 25 June 1918. While a member of a detachment advancing against the enemy, Private Smith assumed command when his corporal was killed and by good judgment and leadership directed the attack upon an enemy machine gun crew. All of the enemy gunners were killed.