Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Munguva yekurwiswa kweJapan kunzvimbo yepamberi paMidway, "Monssen" akatora chikamu mukuzvidzivirira
musi waJune 4-7, 1942 uye vakadzokera kuPearl Harbor kuzorora nokugadzirisazve, izvo zvakatora mwedzi unopfuura mumwe. Smoot akabva aenda ne"Monnsen" kuJapan yakabata Solomon Islands uye yakapa chifukidzo panguva yekumhara kweMarine paGuadalcanal neTulagi musi waAugust 7. "Monssen" akaramba ari munharaunda yakapoteredza kuburikidza neHondo yeEastern Solomons, iyo yakadzivisa kusimbiswa kweJapan kusvika kuGuadalcanal. Nokuda kwebasa rake muSolomon Islands, Smoot akashongedzwa neBronze Star Medal neCombat "V". Akakwidziridzwa kuva Commander musi waJune 30, 1942.