The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade Norman Smith (ASN: 33297725), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 15 and 16 October 1944, near ****, Holland. Technician Fifth Grade Smith, with one comrade, voluntarily patrolled to a point more than a mile behind enemy lines and remained in hostile territory for more than twenty-four hours. They noted all German activity in the area and pin-pointed installation. On the return trip, they walked boldly through the German positions in the dark, greeting enemy soldiers with the work “comrade.” After crossing the dyke and canal, they decided to return to the hostile lines and bring out a prisoner. They greeted the first German found in a foxhole and forced him to leave quietly and returned to friendly lines. The prisoner and the information secured by Technician Fifth Grade Smith and his companion proved of the highest value. His daring and efficient performance of a valuable service assured the survival of the besieged forces in that area., all previous patrols having failed to penetrate the enemy lines. The courage and skill displayed by Technician Fifth Grade Smith was a credit to himself and the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.