Sergeant Smith passed through several engagements during the summer of 1918, but it was at Bois de Forges, France, on September 26, 1918, that the supreme test came and was met with a splendid showing of courage and self reliance seldom equaled in the annals of warfare. He was at that time with Company A, 132nd Infantry, Prairie Division. His line was ordered to advance on that day to a certain objective. The advance was vitally important. Just as the line started it was held up by a withering fire from carefully placed machine gun nests, two guns to each nest. Sandlin's quick eye presently noticed that there was a narrow lane between the swing of the two guns in the nest in front of his part of the line.

    Securing a full supply of hand grenades, he charged the nests single-handed, with rifle and grenades. Advancing within seventy-five yards of the guns, he threw his first grenade, which fell short, and exploded without effect. He ran about thirty yards nearer the nest and threw his second grenade, which struck the nest. Throwing two more grenades, he charged the nest. Finding two of the gunners unhurt, he put them out of action with his bayonet. In this charge the enemy emptied two automatic revolvers at him.

Then he advanced on to a third machine gun nest, finishing off the crew of eight men with grenade, automatic and bayonet. The American line then went through to its objective, which Sergeant Sandlin was determined that it would do. Thus it is known that he accounted for twenty-four Huns that day. How many more he does not know. He was in the thick of the fighting throughout with grenade, rifle and automatic.  Sergeant Sandlin's remarkable feats of arms were of exceptional military importance, since they were the means of letting the line through to the day's objective. Some consider that this factor causes his day's work to excel that of Sergeant York. The latter was suddenly surprised in the very jaws of hell and fought his way out with un-paralleled magnificence. On the other hand, Sergeant Sandlin voluntarily and deliberately ran into the jaws of death, into dangers so great that he could hardly hope to come out with his life.  His quickness, his coolness, his unerring aim, enabled him to accomplish what he set out to do.  Sergeant Sandlin was wounded slightly and gassed. After coming home, he was sent back to France in charge of the work of removing the bodies of our soldiers. 

The official citation which accompanied the award to Sergeant Sandlin is as follows: "By direction of the President, under the provision of the Act of Congress, approved July 9, 1918, the medal of honor has been awarded, in the name of the Congress, to the following named enlisted man for the act of gallantry set after his name. Following is Gen. Pershing's cabled recommendation, which has been approved: 'Sergt. Willie Sandlin, Company A, 132d Infantry (A. S. No. 278103). For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty with the enemy at Bois de Forges, France, September 26, 1918. Sgt. Sandlin showed conspicuous gallantry in action at Bois de Forges, France, on September 26, by advancing alone directly on a machine gun nest which was holding up the line with its fire.