Eric Smith’s Silver Star gets an upgrade to the Navy Cross

Staff Sergeant Eric Smith left the Marine Corps after earning a Silver Star for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq in 2004. The Marine Corps reviewed his actions and decided that he had earned a Navy Cross. The paramedic from Waxahachie, Texas, received his new medal yesterday. The citation for his Silver Star;

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Eric M. Smith, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Squad Leader, Second Platoon, Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 6 April 2004. As part of the company’s quick reaction force, Corporal Smith’s platoon was ordered to move north and reinforce a squad which was under attack. En route, two high-mobility multipurpose-wheeled vehicles ere ambushed leaving the platoon commander critically wounded. Under heavy machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire, Corporal Smith assumed command of the platoon, and led them 50 meters across open ground to covered positions. He then ran back across the fire-swept field to evacuate his platoon commander and his weapons. Employing machine guns and the platoon’s 7-tone truck, Corporal Smith coordinated and led a counterattack against the insurgent forces and freed the isolated squad. He coordinated with an Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle Platoon upon their arrival, facilitated the evacuation of casualties and devised the withdrawal plan for all units back to the command post. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and loyal dedication to duty, Corporal Smith reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Military.com records his reaction to the upgraded award;

Smith’s Navy Cross is the 40th presented to a Marine since the Sept. 11 attacks, officials said.

“I am honored and humbled to receive the upgraded award of the Navy Cross,” Smith said in a statement.

“I understand that this places me in a category of Marines that I would have never imagined to be a part of,” he said. “I firmly believe that I was an ordinary Marine placed in an extraordinary situation.”