David M. Smith

David Monroe Smith (November 10, 1926 – September 1, 1950) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 1, 1950 during the Battle of Yongsan.

David Monroe Smith
Medal of Honor recipient
Born(1926-11-10)November 10, 1926
Livingston, Kentucky
DiedSeptember 1, 1950(1950-09-01) (aged 23)
near Yeongsan, Korea
Place of burial
Jake Ponder Cemetery, Livingston, Kentucky[1]
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
RankPrivate First Class
UnitCompany E, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Battles/warsKorean War  †
AwardsMedal of Honor
Purple Heart

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Yeongsan, Korea, September 1, 1950

Entered service at: Livingston, Kentucky. Born: November 10, 1926, Livingston, Kentucky

G.O. No.: 78, August 21, 1952

Citation

Pfc. Smith, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action. Pfc. Smith was a gunner in the mortar section of Company E, emplaced in rugged mountainous terrain and under attack by a numerically superior hostile force. Bitter fighting ensued and the enemy overran forward elements, infiltrated the perimeter, and rendered friendly positions untenable. The mortar section was ordered to withdraw, but the enemy had encircled and closed in on the position. Observing a grenade lobbed at his emplacement, Pfc. Smith shouted a warning to his comrades and, fully aware of the odds against him, flung himself upon it and smothered the explosion with his body. Although mortally wounded in this display of valor, his intrepid act saved 5 men from death or serious injury. Pfc. Smith's inspirational conduct and supreme sacrifice reflect lasting glory on himself and are in keeping with the noble traditions of the infantry of the U.S. Army.[2]

See also

Notes
  1. David Monroe Smith - Korean War Project
  2. ""DAVID M. SMITH" entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Korean War. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Retrieved 2007-12-31.

References
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.


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