The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Gustavus Hindman Miller Smith (ASN: 0-529367), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 60th Engineer Combat Battalion, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, France, on 8 October 1944. Lieutenant Smith, a platoon leader, was assigned the mission of destroying, by demolitions, a bridge across the **** River in enemy territory. As the demolition was to be done at night, Lieutenant Smith made a daylight reconnaissance, accompanied by an enlisted man, and worked his way to a point about five hundred yards southwest of the bridge. The enemy placed small arms fire upon his position but, instead of withdrawing, he crawled forward alone, neutralized several enemy positions with accurate rifle fire, and captured six Germans. As he withdrew with his prisoners, he was mortally wounded by fire from concealed enemy positions. Lieutenant Smith’s courage, coolness, and zealous devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon his character as an officer and upon the military service.