Arlington National Cemetery
  31-6485 

BORN:  March 04, 1949 at Front Royal, VA

Entered Service in the US Marine Corps from Orlando, FL

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Vietnam War For heroism on December 20 & 21, 1967 at Happy Valley, Phouc Ninh (2), Vietnam

Corporal Smedley led his six-man squad to an ambush site at the mouth of Happy Valley, near Phouc Ninh. That night an estimated 100 enemy, carrying 122mm rocket launchers and mortars, were observed moving toward Hill 41. Realizing this was a significant enemy move to launch an attack on the vital Da Nang complex, Corporal Smedley immediately took courageous action to stop the enemy threat. After he radioed for a reaction force, he skillfully maneuvered his men to a more advantageous position and led an attack on the numerically superior enemy force. An enemy machinegun on the left flank inflicted several casualties on his unit. Simultaneously, an enemy rifle grenade exploded nearby, wounding him in the right foot and knocking him to the ground. He ignored this serious injury and struggled to his feet, and led a charge against the machinegun emplacement, firing his rifle and throwing grenades, until he was again struck by enemy fire and knocked to the ground. Gravely wounded and weak from loss of blood, he rose and commenced a one-man assault. Although his aggressive and single-handed attack resulted in the destruction of the machinegun, he was struck in the chest by enemy fire and fell mortally wounded.