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name
SMITH, Gustavas Hindman Miller - Date of
birth
20 September 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Hamilton County, Tennessee -
Hometown
Lookout Mountain, Hamilton County, Tennessee
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-529367 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Platoon Commander -
Unit
60th Engineer Combat Battalion,
35th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 October 1944 - Place of
death
Near Fossieux, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 31 | 27 |
Immediate family
-
Members
George B. Smith (father)
Emily J. (Miller) Smith (mother)
George B. Smith Jr. (brother)
Emily V. Smith (sister)
More information
2nd Lt G. H. Miller Smith attended Choated School, graduating in 1939 and attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from which he graduated in 1942 with a degree of bachelor of science in chemical engineering. He was commissioned on 6 November 1943 and was sent overseas in the spring of 1944.He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. The citation cited: For gallantry in action in the vicinity of Fossieux, France, on 8 October 1944. Lt Smith, a platoon leader, was assigned the mission of destroying, by demolitions, a bridge across the *** River in enemy territory. As the demolition was to be done at night, Lt Smith made a daylight reconnaissance, accompanied by an enlisted man, and worked his way to a point about five hundred yards southwest of the bridge. The enemy placed small arms fire upon his position but, instead of withdrawing, he crawled forward alone, neutralized several enemy positions with accurate rifle fire, and captured six Germans. As he withdrew with his prisoners, he was mortally wounded by fire from concealed enemy positions. Lt Smith's courage, coolness, and zealous devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon his character as an officer and upon the military service.
He is also remembered at the Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Miller Family Tree / 1940 Census, After Action Report 35th Infantry Division, www.findagrave.com - Colleen L, https://etvama.org/veterans/g-h-miller-smith-8680/, www.newspapers.com - Chattanooga Daily Times 26 October 1944
Photo source: www.ancestry.com - Daniel T. Carrier, www.findagrave.com - Colleen L, www.newspapers.com - Chattanooga Daily Times 26 October 1944