Date of birth:

June 21st, 1916 (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Date of death:

August 18th, 2007

Nationality:

American

Born on June 21, 1916 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Will L. Smith and Wilma Sarah Smith, Harry L. Smith attended St. George's School in Buenos Aires and later Blair Academy in Blairstown, NJ. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1938 from Cornell University, in Ithaca, NY, where he met and married Patricia Ann Smith, daughter of Prof. Charles E. and Hilda J. O'Rourke.

Harry and Tricia then traveled to Buenos Aires to work for the family import/export business, Will L. Smith, SAIC between 1940 and 1942. In early 1943, Harry returned to the U.S. with Tricia and two children, David and Judith ("Missy") who then set up residence in Ithaca, NY while Harry went to Princeton, NJ for naval officer's training.
After being commissioned as an ensign, USNR, Harry was assigned as captain of the LCS(L) 57, then under construction in Portland Oregon. Once commissioned, the ship joined the Pacific Fleet, where it participated in the Battle of Okinawa as a radar picket ship. The action for which Lt.(jg) Smith was awarded the Navy Cross took place on April 12, 1945. Details regarding the action and the commendation for the medal can be found in the citation to his Navy Cross.

Upon being honorably discharged from the Navy, Harry worked briefly as an engineer for General Electric in Schenectady, NY. In 1947, Harry and the family returned to Buenos Aires where he resumed his business career with the family firm until 1958. From 1958 to 1964, Harry worked as a consultant to several U.S. corporations seeking to do business in Argentina. Son, Stephen and daughter Veronica were born in 1947 and 1951, respectively.
The Smith family relocated to La Jolla, CA in 1964, where Harry engaged in real estate development. Harry and Patricia later moved to Alpharetta, GA, near Atlanta where Harry continued his activities in real estate.
Harry and Patricia retired to Sun City Center, Florida in the late 1990s, where they were active in community affairs.

Harry died at the age of 91, on August 18, 2007, preceded in death by three weeks by Patricia, both of whom were cared for in their final months of life by daughter Judith. Harry and Tricia were laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on the corner of York and Eisenhower streets.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Junior Grade (Lieutenant Junior Grade))

Unit:

Commanding Officer Amphibious Support Vessel

Awarded on:

April 23rd, 1946

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Commander of an Amphibious Support Vessel engaged in radar picket duty, in operations against the enemy on 12 April 1945, during the amphibious assault and capture of Okinawa. Demonstrating outstanding qualities of leadership, unfaltering determination, and profound devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Smith fought his ship with conspicuous merit throughout the action in which several enemy planes made suicide attacks on his vessel, two of which hit the ship and inflicted severe damage. Despite the handicaps caused by fire, impaired operating efficiency, and wounded personnel, he displayed adroit skill, intelligent resourcefulness, and dauntless courage in continuing his ship in action, destroying two enemy aircraft and assisting in the destruction of two others, thereby contributing materially to the success of this amphibious operations. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States."

Commander Amphibious Force U.S. Pacific Fleet: Serial 336 (April 23, 1946).

• Photo 1: David L. Smith
• - Sterner C.D., Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present
  - Biography, David L. Smith, eldest son
  - Military Times Hall of Valor