Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander

Unit:

USS Stewart (DD-224), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

February 1942

"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. STEWART (DD-224), in action against a greatly superior Japanese Naval force in the Badoeng Strait, off the Island of Bali, Netherlands East Indies, on the night of 19 - 20 February 1942. Although under heavy fire from the enemy, Lieutenant Commander Smith pressed home the attack which resulted in severe damage to the enemy, while receiving minor damage to his own ship and only one casualty to his personnel. The conduct of Lieutenant Commander Smith throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 302

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commander

Unit:

USS Stewart (DD-224), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

August 6th, 1942

"For outstanding deeds in naval combat Lombok Strait in which the superior force consisting of heavy cruisers and fighters was successfully fought."

Royal Decree no. 1. Replaced by the Bronze Lion

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commander

Unit:

USS Stewart (DD-224), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

August 6th, 1942

Royal Decree no. 1. Replaced by the Bronze Lion

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commander

Unit:

USS Stewart (DD-224), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

August 6th, 1942

Bronzecross, later withdrawn and replaced bj the Bronze Lion

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Destroyer Squadron 4, U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

October 1947

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Destroyer Squadron FOUR, at Wake, Marcus, Volcano and Bonin Islands, from 4 September 1944 to 5 January 1945."

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 368

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

OLC

Period:

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

Rank:

Admiral

Awarded on:

1965

On 4 May 1965, in the Rose Garden of the White House, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented the Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Harold Page Smith. The following are excerpts from President Johnson's remarks:

"Today, in a figurative sense if not a literal one, I am very proud and very happy on behalf of all the American Nation to salute you as a distinguished officer and a most distinguished American. In your 45 years of service to your country, you have written a record of leadership, and courage, and responsibility that has the highest respect among all your colleagues and all your associates in the service in which you have spent your adult life. So, it is a genuine pleasure to welcome you here today, to pay honor to you and to your outstanding career.

In the Pacific and in the Atlantic during World War II, Admiral Smith established a memorable record of courage and valor and leadership. Following the war, he held many important commands, both ashore and at sea. None was more vital than the one for which we honor him today--Commander in Chief, Atlantic; Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic--because in this capacity he has played a key role in building that great alliance of freedom-loving nations who have learned, I hope, the lessons of preparedness.

Combining in himself the finest qualities of the military man and the diplomat, Admiral Smith greatly strengthened the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the bonds of friendship with our European allies. That alliance is one of our great assurances that the failures of the first half of our century will not be repeated in the last half of our century."