James Lee Smith
Private, U.S. Army

In August 1950, Private James Lee Smith was serving with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 25 August, PVT Smith's unit was engaged with enemy forces near Kuhe-ri, Korea. PVT Smith was a member of a force covering a patrol that was crossing the Nam River. As the first boat of the patrol reached the opposite shore and the occupants debarked, they were subjected to intense hostile small-arms fire from three sides at a range of three hundred yards. Seeing that the position of the patrol was untenable, the company commander ordered an immediate withdrawal. As the order was given, the patrol leader was killed, six members were wounded, and the assault boat was cast adrift. PVT Smith, ignoring the hostile fire, plunged into the swift current and swam sixty yards, retrieved the boat and brought it and the six wounded men to shore on the friendly side of the river. PVT Smith's heroism and concern for the welfare of his comrades earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 1 September 1950, PVT Smith was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private James Lee Smith (ASN: RA-15280680), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Private Smith distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Kuhe-ri, Korea, on 25 August 1950. On that date, Private Smith was a member of a force covering a patrol which crossed the Nam River. As the first boat of the patrol reached the opposite shore and the occupants debarked, they were subjected to intense hostile small-arms fire from three sides at a range of three hundred yards. Observing that the position of the patrol was untenable, the company commander ordered an immediate withdrawal. As the order was given, the patrol leader was killed, six members were wounded, and the assault boat was cast adrift. Private Smith, heedless of the deadly concentrations of hostile fire, plunged into the swift current and swam sixty yards through withering fire, retrieved the boat and brought it and the six wounded men to shore on the friendly side of the river. Private Smith's conspicuous heroism, selfless regard for the welfare of his comrades, and his outstanding devotion to duty in saving the lives of six wounded men exemplify the highest ideals of the American soldier.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 89 (October 1, 1950)

Burial

Private James Lee Smith is buried at Confidence Cemetery in Georgetown, Brown County, OH.

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