Corporal Smith, Mark F. USMC Bronze Star Medal The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to CORPORAL MARK F. SMITH UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: "For meritorious service in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a Rifleman and subsequently as a Radio Operator with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, First Marine Division. Throughout this period, Corporal SMITH, then a Lance Corporal, performed his duties with exemplary professional skill and resourcefulness. As a Rifleman, he participated in numerous combat patrols, frequently volunteering to serve in the dangerous position as Point Man. On 17 May 1968 during Operation Allen Brook, when the platoon came under attack by an entrenched enemy force, the primary radio operator was wounded and subsequently evacuated. Although Corporal SMITH was not a trained radio operator, he unhesitatingly assumed his companion's duties and, despite intense enemy fire, maintained reliable communications with the command post throughout the day. When the platoon commander was mortally wounded, Corporal SMITH, displaying exceptional composure under fire, calmly relayed vital communications, contributing significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission. On the afternoon of 24 June, when his platoon was ambushed by a North Vietnamese Army force, Corporal SMITH was seriously wounded by fragments from an exploding rocket round. Despite the severity of his wounds, he calrnly assisted in treating his own injuries, inspiring all who observed him. Corporal SMITH's courage, superior professionalism and selfless devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. Corporal SMITH is authorized to wear the Combat "V".