Charley D. Smith

The President of the United States takes Pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Charley D. Smith, Technical Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States on a mission involving aerial flight in Southeast Asia on 28 July 1967. On that date, Sergeant Smith descended on a forest penetrator to recover a downed Air Force pilot. Finding that a Stokes litter was the only practical means of recovering the injured survivor, he firmly secured the pilot to it and then, without retaining device of any kind and at great risk of his own life, sat astride the unstable rescue device as it was being lifted to the helicopter, all the while using his own body to protect the survivor from jungle foliage. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Smith has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.