the Korean Service Medal with one bronze star; the United Nations Service Medal; the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star; the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation; and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. Smith was featured on the cover of the 7 December 1942 issue of Life Magazine. Medal of Honor citation The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and heroic achievement in aerial combat above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO TWENTY-THREE, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, August – September, 1942. Repeatedly risking his life in aggressive and daring attacks, Major Smith led his squadron against a determined force, greatly superior in numbers, personally shooting down sixteen Japanese planes between August 21 and September 15, 1942. In spite of the limited combat experience of many of the pilots of this squadron, they achieved the notable record of a total of eighty-three enemy aircraft destroyed in this period, mainly attributable to the thorough training under Major Smith and to his intrepid and inspiring leadership. His bold tactics and indomitable fighting spirit and the valiant and zealous fortitude of the men of his command not only rendered the enemy's attacks ineffective and costly to them but contributed to the security of our advance base. His loyal and courageous devotion to duty sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. /S/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT See also Cactus Air Force – VMF-223, with Smith in command, was a part of the Cactus Air Force based out of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. References Bibliography External links 1914 births 1972 deaths United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II United States Marine Corps personnel of the Korean War American World War II flying aces Aviators from Oklahoma Burials at Arlington National Cemetery People from Lexington, Oklahoma Recipients of the Legion of Merit Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Recipients of the Air Medal United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients United States Marine Corps colonels United States Marine Corps pilots of World War II United States Naval Aviators University of Oklahoma alumni World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor Suicides in California American military personnel who committed suicide