Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Pilot, Torpedo Squadron 15 (VT-15), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

May 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FIFTEEN (VT-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese surface forces over the Sibuyan Sea during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. In the face of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Smyth participated in a vigorous and determined glide-bombing attack on an enemy battleship, scoring a direct hit which caused certain damage. Undaunted in the face of relentless, devastating anti-aircraft fire, he rendered gallant service during the bitterly fought engagement in which all carriers, a light cruiser and a destroyer of the enemy's task force were sunk and heavy bomb and torpedo damage inflicted on battleships and other important naval units. By his daring airmanship, exceptional courage and steadfast devotion to duty through a perilous assignment, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Smyth contributed materially to the sinking of this valuable enemy fighting unit and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 338 (May 1945).