Charles B. Smith

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Charles B. Smith, Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Smith distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Osan, Korea, on 5 July 1950. Colonel Smith was the Commanding Officer of a task force numbering less than four hundred men, the initial United States force to engage the North Korean Army. Colonel Smith organized a defensive position near Osan and although under attack by overwhelming odds, the Task Force, inspired by his courageous and inspiring leadership, refused to give ground. Enemy tanks overran the position and without regard for his own personal safety, Colonel Smith repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire, directing the action of his anti-tank guns. The anti-tank guns proved ineffective against the heavy armor, and Colonel Smith personally led close-range attacks on the enemy tanks, which repulsed them for several hours. The enemy completely surrounded the small force and, although ammunition was nearly exhausted, Colonel Smith personally led the remaining members of the Task Force in a fight out of the trap. By his courage and aggressive leadership he was able to delay a numerically superior enemy force, inflict heavy casualties and extricate his encircled unit.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 76 (September 20, 1950)