World War I Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the 308th Infantry, 77th Division. He earned the Medal of Honor on 29 September 1918 near Binarville, France. His citation reads: "When communication from the forward regimental post of command to the battalion leading the advance had been interrupted temporarily by the infiltration of small parties of the enemy armed with machine guns, Lt. Col. Smith personally led a party of two other officers and 10 soldiers, and went forward to reestablish runner posts and carry ammunition to the front line. The guide became confused and the party strayed to the left flank beyond the outposts of supporting troops, suddenly coming under fire from a group of enemy machine guns only 50 yards away. Shouting to the other members of his party to take cover, this officer, in disregard of his danger, drew his pistol and opened fire on the German gun crew. About this time he fell, severely wounded in the side, but regaining his footing, he continued to fire on the enemy until most of the men in his party were out of danger. Refusing first-aid treatment, he then made his way in plain view of the enemy to a hand grenade dump and returned under continued heavy machine-gun fire for the purpose of making another attack on enemy emplacements. As he was attempting to ascertain the exact location of the nearest nest, he again fell, mortally wounded."
He was buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne, France. See memorial 7862958.
He was buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne, France. See memorial 7862958.
World War I Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the 308th Infantry, 77th Division. He earned the Medal of Honor on 29 September 1918 near Binarville, France. His citation reads: "When communication from the forward regimental post of command to the battalion leading the advance had been interrupted temporarily by the infiltration of small parties of the enemy armed with machine guns, Lt. Col. Smith personally led a party of two other officers and 10 soldiers, and went forward to reestablish runner posts and carry ammunition to the front line. The guide became confused and the party strayed to the left flank beyond the outposts of supporting troops, suddenly coming under fire from a group of enemy machine guns only 50 yards away. Shouting to the other members of his party to take cover, this officer, in disregard of his danger, drew his pistol and opened fire on the German gun crew. About this time he fell, severely wounded in the side, but regaining his footing, he continued to fire on the enemy until most of the men in his party were out of danger. Refusing first-aid treatment, he then made his way in plain view of the enemy to a hand grenade dump and returned under continued heavy machine-gun fire for the purpose of making another attack on enemy emplacements. As he was attempting to ascertain the exact location of the nearest nest, he again fell, mortally wounded."
He was buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne, France. See memorial 7862958.
He was buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne, France. See memorial 7862958.
Bio by: Gayle Alvarez
Inscription
Their Son
Fred E. Smith
Lieut. Col 308th Inf., 77th Div. a.E.F.
Born March 29, 1873
Killed in Action Sept 29, 1918
Argonne Forest, France
Buried Romagne Sous-Mont-Faucon, Meuse, France
Medal of Honor, Legion D' Honneur
Croix De Guerre-Avec Palme
Family Members
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