The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Armor) James V. Smith (ASN: 0-5247771), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 13 May 1968 while serving as a platoon leader with Company D, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while his tank platoon was conducting a reconnaissance operation, it began receiving an intense barrage of enemy mortar, automatic weapons, and antitank grenade fire from a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army battalion. Lieutenant Smith immediately assumed the lead position in the armored column and led his elements in a direct assault upon the hostile fortifications. L Suddenly, two rocket-propelled grenades slammed into his vehicle, wounding his driver and causing the vehicle to erupt in flames. Ignoring the intense hostile small arms fire, he dismounted the tank and dashed to the front to aid his wounded driver. After extracting the wounded man, Lieutenant Smith carried him to a medical vehicle for treatment. He then returned to his vehicle and attempted to extinguish the flames when an enemy machine gunner fired upon him. Utilizing the machine gun on his tank, Lieutenant Smith directed devastating return fire upon the enemy position, destroying it. Then, after successfully extinguishing the blaze, he re-manned his vehicle and led his men in overrunning and destroying the enemy force. First Lieutenant Smith’s exceptional courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.