The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class James T. Smith (MCSN: 851417), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Squad Leader serving with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, on 15 September 1944. During a coordinated infantry-tank attack against a series of enemy pillboxes retarding the advance of our assault forces and inflicting heavy casualties on our troops, Private First Class Smith, on his own initiative, boldly charged forward in the face of the withering barrage and waged a single-handed battle against one of the emplacements. Drawing all immediate hostile fire to himself, he was steadfastly holding the position which he had seized when the enemy in surrounding pillboxes launched two successive counterattacks in a desperate attempt to regain the emplacement. Mortally wounded before assistance could reach him during this fierce action, Private First Class Smith, by his daring initiative, inspired his comrades to charge and seize all of the hostile pillboxes, thereby contributing essentially to the success of an extremely dangerous mission. His courageous devotion to duty throughout reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Smith and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.