The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the
CITATION:
“For outstanding performance during action against enemy Japanese forces off Santa Cruz Islands, October 26, 1942. Although a hostile torpedo plane crashed on her forecastle and exploded at the height of the battle, the SMITH, with her forward topside abandoned and aflame, gallantly held to her screening position on an aircraft carrier and fought off attacking planes until the fire could be extinguished. Her survival is a distinctive tribute to the invincible fighting spirit of her officers and men.”
Source: NARA Modern Military Records (NECTM). Textual Archives Services Division.
