Reginald D. Smith

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Reginald D. Smith (US55024532), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Private First Class Smith distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Onnamu-go, Korea, on 8 October 1951. When his platoon came under withering cross-fire from strongly fortified positions, Private Smith moved boldly forward, hurled grenades into an enemy emplacement, and wiped out a machine-gun crew, thereby enabling his unit to move forward. While nearing a second bunker, the valiant group was pinned down by intense enemy fire. Private Smith crept up the fire-swept hill, lobbed two grenades with deadly accuracy, and poured rifle fire into the position, killing all occupants. Although painfully wounded by a mortar burst, he continued forward until hostile fire reached such intensity that his until was ordered to move back. He voluntarily remained in position, covering the retrograde movement. As he withdrew, he observed his platoon leader wounded and unable to move. He promptly administered first aid and began the slow, tortuous evacuation, crawling toward friendly liens. During this action, both men were mortally wounded by mortar fire.