Chester C. Smith’s SECOND Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to

Chester Carl Smith

Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for outstanding and continued successful actions against the enemy as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SWORDFISH (SS-193), on the SECOND War Patrol of that Submarine during the period from 24 January to 19 February 1942. Despite the close watch maintained by enemy air and surface ship patrol, Lieutenant Commander Smith boldly entered the narrow waters of Celebes, Netherlands East Indies, during daylight on 24 January 1942, and engaged the enemy in a daring attack which resulted in the sinking of the two largest vessels lying at anchor in closed waters. Again on 18 February, off the Island of Luzon, Philippine Islands, after contacting an escorted enemy vessel supplying enemy forces on that island, he closed range and promptly attacked the shi which was subsequently found to have been destroyed. Following the attacks on both these occasions, his superb seamanship and alert evasive tactics enabled the SWORDFISH to avoid vigorous enemy counter measures and stand out of the area. Finally, on 19 February, a 3,000-ton Japanese tanker off the entrance to Subic Bay, was the last of eight enemy vessels to be destroyed by the SWORDFISH since the commencement of hostilities. Lieutenant Commander Smith’s fine qualities of inspiring leadership and the courageous, aggressive spirit of his command in offensive action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.