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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 1233

(x) The U.S.A. Vietnam, Silver Star, Bronze Star & Air Medal group of fourteen to Master Sergeant J. S. Smith, 5th U.S. Special Forces Group, who was wounded on five separate occasions and who later served as an Airborne Commander in 'Huey' helicopters

United States of America, Silver Star; Bronze Star with V Emblem; Bronze Star; Air Medal with V Emblem; Purple Heart (2); Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Nedal; Army of Occupation Medal, 1 clasp, Japan; Vietnam Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal; South Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Star; South Vietnam Campaign Medal, very fine or better (14)

Citation for the Silver Star, 10 January 1970

For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Master Sergeant Smith distinguished himself while serving as an advisor to a Vietnamese strike force during a Camp Strike Force company size operation west of Camp Dak Pek, deep in enemy held territory. Sergeant Smith, in charge of a company, led his force in an assault line against enemy positions located at the top of a ridge line. Because of the intense small arms and B-40 rocket fire, the Vietnamese strike force faltered and withdrew in disorder. As Sergeant Smith attempted to rally his company, he noticed that one of the Vietnamese Special Forces Advisors had been critically wounded and left behind on the exposed hilltop. Braving the intense enemy automatic weapons fire, Sergeant Smith rushed back up the hill and drag the wounded man to the shelter of a nearby tree. He worked feverishly to save his comrade's life, completely disregarding his own safety. The enemy, seeing the Vietnamese Strike Force withdraw, redoubled its efforts with an intense volume of fire concentrated upon Sergeant Smith's hilltop position. In this volley, Sergeant Smith was critically wounded in the chest by small arms fire. Despite his wounds and the fact that the remaining defenders had left his position, Sergeant Smith continued to administer first aid. Twice he repulsed enemy soldiers who assaulted his position. Despite his efforts, he was unable to save the life of the wounded Vietnamese Advisor. Only after the Advisor's death did Sergeant Smith attempted to save himself. Sergeant Smith's gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Citation for the Bronze star

Master Sergeant John S. Smith, 722-05-3262 United States Army who distinguished himself by outstandingly meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. During the period 18 SEPTEMBER 1969 TO 17 SEPTEMBER 1970 he consistently manifested exemplary professionalism and initiative in obtaining outstanding results. His rapid assessment and solution of numerous problems inherent in a combat environment greatly enhanced the allied effectiveness against a determined and aggressive enemy. Despite many adversities, he invariably performed his duties in a resolute and efficient manner. Energetically applying his sound judgement and extensive knowledge, he has contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of the United States mission in the Republic of Vietnam. His loyalty, diligence and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, and the United States Army.

Citation for the Bronze Star (with Oakleaf Cluster) 28 May 1970.

For heroism in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Master Sergeant Smith distinguished himself by heroism on 6 April 1970 while serving as company commander of 243 Company, 4th Battalion, 2d Mobile Strike Force and Special Forces Advisor in the remote Central Highlands of the Republic of Vietnam. The 4th Battalion had the mission of relieving the intense pressure an NVA regiment was placing on Dak Seang Special Forces camp. While deploying his men into its portion of the battalion perimeter, Sergeant Smith's company came under intense mortar fire from elements of that same NVA regiment. During twenty-five minutes of constant mortar fire Sergeant Smith dauntlessly crawled from one wounded man to another, rendering emergency treatment to nearly twenty-two men hit by mortar fragments. Sergeant Smith himself was seriously wounded but refused medical treatment until all his men were card for and the attack had ended. During the course of the attack Sergeant Smith surmounted the pain of his own wounds and crawled through bursting mortar rounds to personally make seven trips to carry seven of the most seriously wounded men from exposed positions. Before the indirect fire attack had ended, Sergeant Smith, ever conscious of his duty to his men and the other units relying upon him, began reorganizing his troops to repel an expected ground assault. In utter disregard of his own wounds and personal safety, Sergeant Smith's unflagging gallantry, cool professionalism, and unmatched example directly resulted in saving the lives of numerous men who would have died without the medical treatment he so quickly and knowledgeably rendered. Master Sergeant Smith's valorous actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, Special Forces and the United States Army.


Citation for the Air Medal

For heroism while participating in aerial flight in the Republic of Vietnam Master Sergeant Smith distinguished himself by heroism during the period 1-17 April 1970 while serving as Airborne Commander in an armed UH-1D helicopter for the II Corps Mobile Strike Force engaged in the defense of the Dak Seang and Dak Pek Special Forces outposts. During this time he participated in the medical evacuation of friendly personnel and resupply of Mobile Strike Force elements while being subjected to intense hostile ground fire. Despite the grave danger he always displayed the finest air discipline and the highest manner of professionalism. He performed his mission in an exemplary fashion. Master Sergeant Smith's heroic actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Special Forces and the United States Army.

Citation for the Army Commendation Medal.

Master Sergeant John S. Smith who distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service in support of allied counterinsurgency operations in the Republic of Vietnam. During the period 4 FEBRUARY 1968 TO 3 AUGUST 1968 he astutely surmounted extremely adverse conditions to obtain consistently superior results. Through diligence and determination, he invariably acconmplished every task with dispatch and efficiency. His unrelenting loyalty, initiative and perserverance brought him wide acclaim and inspired others to strive for maximum achievement. Selflessly working long and arduous hours, he has contributed significantly to the success of the allied effort. His commendable performance was in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects distinct credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Citation for Award of Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant

Sergeant First Class John S. Smith, RA15265970, for outstanding performance to duty as Intelligence Sergeant of Giessen Subarea, APO 169, US Forces, from 11 June 1955 to 31 March 1958. During this period Sergeant First Class Smith displayed a high degree of professional competence in supervising an Intelligence Section that continually received a superior inspection rating. On numerous occasions he performed the addtional duty as the Operations Sergeant of the Subarea without the aid of other experienced clerical personnel. Through his willingness to devote many extra hours to duty, his assigned tasks were performed with impressive results. His ability to organize and maintain a smooth operating section has made him an outstanding asset to his unit. Sergeant First Class Smith's efficiency and industriousness reflect credit upon himself, this command and the United States Army.

John Samuel Smith was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, on 8 March 1930, he appears to have spent his childhood in a number of Children's Homes before leaving Sciote County Children's Home in 1943 for a family who's head was a Mr J. S. Morris of Circleville, Ohio. Smith joined the Regular Army on 8 January 1948 and first saw service overseas in Japan from 5 April 1948 - 21 February 1949 as part of the Army of Occupation. Smith began his Airborne training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. On 19 October 1951 and was sent to Giessen, Germany on 11 June 1955 as part of the NATO force. He returned to the United States on 2 January 1957 and spent much of his time at Fort Benning, Georgia as well as returning to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He served for the first time in Vietnam from 22 October 1964 serving with the USMAAC and returned to the United States on 12 May 1965. He is then based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he began his Special Forces Training and returns to Vietnam on 14 September 1967 before returning to CONUS on 29 March 1969 and then back to Fort Bragg on 28 April 1969. He departed for United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) on 5 September 1969 and is attached to the 5th Special Forces Group seeing service in Vietnam for the final time. He returned to CONUS on 15 September 1970 and was attached to firstly the 6th and secondly the 5th SFG groups at Fort Bragg. Smith was finally discharged at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on 31 July 1972.

Sold together with the following archive:

i) Certificate for the Silver Star, dated 28 May 1970, in folder.

ii) Certifcate for the Bronze Star dated 17 July 1970, in folder.

iii) Certificate for the Bronze Star (First Oak Leaf Cluster), dated 10 August 1970, in folder.

iv) Certificate for the Air Medal, dated 12 July 1970.

v) Certificate for the Army Commendation Medal, dated 16 August 1968.

vi) Certificate for the Purple Heart 4th Oak Leaf Cluster, dated 15 January 1970, in folder.

vii) Certificate for the Purple Heart 5th Award, dated 8 April 1970 in folder.

viii) Certificate for Aerial Observer Course taken at Fort Campbell, Kentucky 15-26 March 1954.

ix) Certificate for FOB 1 serving in the outpost from 4 February 1968 - 22 July 1968.

x) Certificate for the South Vietnam Gallantry Cross, dated 1 August 1970.

xi) Certificate for Airborne Wings (Vietnam) dated 9 August 1968.


xii) Honourable Discharge Certificate, dated 28 August 1968.

xiii) Special Forces Decade Association certificate, dated 8 October 1973.

xiv) SAFASIA Basic Airborne Course Instructors Handbook.

xv) A folder containing a quantity of original documentation confirming awards and dates of Gallantry Medals, Purple Hearts and copied service records to include confirmation of awards and postings the majority blacked out on the last.

xvi) Green Beret, dated 1975.

xvii) Dog Tag.

xviii) Meritorious Unit Citation (2) one with oak leaf cluster.

xix) Master Parachutist Badge.

xx) American Legion lapel badge.

xxi) Expert Rifle Badge.

xxii) Uniform rank patches for Sergeant.

xxiii) Further cap badge for a Green Beret.

xxiv) Name patch and U.S.Army for combat jacket.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£1,100

Starting price
£400