Private First Class David Monroe Smith, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on September 1, 1950 near Yongsan, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company E, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Smith was 23 years old.
Smith was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 14, 1952.
Smith was born on November 10, 1926 in Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. He is buried at Smith Cemetery in Livingston, Kentucky.
Smith is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 44 credited to Kentucky.
Official Medal of Honor 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 five 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
Although mortally wounded in this display of valor, his intrepid act saved five men from death or serious injury.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (September 1, 1950).
- Age at death: 23
- Resting place: Smith Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, David Monroe Smith received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Korean War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Kentucky →
Timeline
- November 10, 1926Born in Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky
- September 1, 1950Act of valor — near Yongsan, KoreaAge 23. Company E, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division Killed in action.
- August 14, 1952Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeSmith CemeteryLivingston, Kentucky
Biography
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.
From the Wikipedia article “David M. Smith (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
