Robert Wilson Smith

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Smith (AFSN: FR-20881), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105 Pilot with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 27 October 1967. On that date, Colonel Smith led a flight of four F-105 aircraft through a barrage of more than twenty surface-to-air missiles to his assigned target in the vicinity of Hanoi. In the interest of mission accomplishment, Colonel Smith led his flight ahead of the force to suppress heavy anti-aircraft fire in his immediate target area, even though this exposed him and his flight to the very heavy defenses. Colonel Smith was advised of the position of a downed pilot during egress, and returned with his flight to the hostile area in search of the pilot, until low fuel state forced him to withdraw. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Smith has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.