Bobby J. Smith

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Bobby J. Smith (RA14326593), Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Corporal Smith distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Waegwan, Korea, on 19 September 1950. When his platoon leader, platoon sergeant, and other ranking non-commissioned officers had been wounded, and he himself had been seriously wounded, Corporal Smith tenaciously remained in his position, firing his Browning Automatic Rifle with deadly accuracy against the enemy. When he had expended all his ammunition, he made his way to a machine-gun ammunition bearer in order to obtain more. He noticed that a gunner and assistant gunner of a nearby machine-gun had been wounded and their gun temporarily put out of action. He manned the gun and continued to deliver fire against the enemy until reinforcement arrived. In the ensuing action when, as a result of his heroic achievements, the platoon once more began to advance, he was morally wounded by enemy fire.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 189 (December 5, 1950)