Award of Combat Infantryman Badge

Award of Combat Infantryman Badge

Captain William H. Smith was born on November 28, 1920, the youngest of three children to John Seward Smith and Eva Wilds Smith. The Smith family lived at 419 Smith Street in Jacksonville, Florida. Three days before his twentieth birthday, Smith enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private from Jacksonville, Florida. He became a member of the combat infantry of the 63rd Division, 255th Infantry Regiment. Capt. William H. Smith was killed in action on January 3, 1945, in the Ardennes region, repelling German forces during Operation Nordwind, the last German offensive of the war. After his death, Capt. Smith was awarded the Combat Infantrymen Badge, effective January 2, 1945, as well as a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his sacrifice. He is buried in the Epinal war cemetery in Lorraine, France.

United States Army

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1945/01/17

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Institution: Fold3

United States Army Document

608x434