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Smith, Furman L.

Date of birth:
May 11th, 1925 (Six Miles/South Carolina, United States)
Date of death:
May 31st, 1944 (Lanuvio/Province of Rome, Italy)
Buried on:
American War Grave Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Private
Unit:
Company L, 135th Infantry, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" U.S. Army
Awarded on:
January 24th, 1945
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. In its attack on a strong point, an infantry company was held up by intense enemy fire. The group to which Pvt. Smith belonged was far in the lead when attacked by a force of 80 Germans. The squad leader and 1 other man were seriously wounded and other members of the group withdrew to the company position, but Pvt. Smith refused to leave his wounded comrades. He placed them in the shelter of shell craters and then alone faced a strong enemy counterattack, temporarily checking it by his accurate rifle fire at close range, killing and wounding many of the foe. Against overwhelming odds, he stood his ground until shot down and killed, rifle in hand."

Awarded posthumously.
Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)

Sources

  • Photo 1: Findagrave.com
  • - Jordan, Kenneth N., Yesterday’s Heroes – 433 men of World War II awarded the Medal of Honor 1941-1945, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., USA, 1996
    - Ankrum, H.R., Dogfaces Who Smiled Through Tears – The 34th Red Bull Infantry Division and attached 100th (Hawaiian) Battalion and 442nd "Go for Broke" Regimental Combat Team in World War II 1941-1945, Graphic Publishing Company, Lake Mills, Iowa, USA, 1987
    - Hougen, J.H., The Story of the Famous 34th Infantry Division, The Battery Press, Nashville, USA, 1989
    - homeofheroes.com

Photo