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Personal info

Full 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

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