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Chestua Baptist Cem., Monroe Co., Tn
Madisonville Democrat, May 23, 1945
Staff
Sgt. Louis D. Smith, son of Mrs. Maude M. Smith, of Route 2, who was killed
in action while serving with the 4th Infantry Division, Seventh
Army, has been awarded the Silver Star posthumously for gallantry in
action. Sgt. Smith was decorated for
action in the vicinity of Carentan, France,
July 9, 1944, four days before he was killed, when he eliminated an enemy
machine gun which was holding up his platoon.
He received the following citation:
“While Sgt. Smith’s company was attacking along a highway, it was
subjected to a heavy barrage of 88 mm, and machine gun fire, pinning the
company down. Realizing the precarious
position of his unit, Sgt. Smith, without regard for his personal safety,
voluntarily left his position of cover.
By creeping and crawling, he advanced on an enemy machine gun nest and
succeeded in knocking it out, killing the five-man crew and thereby relieving
enough pressure from his platoon to enable it to complete the assigned
mission. Sgt. Smith’s outstanding
courage, initiative and devotion to duty are in keeping with the finest
traditions of the armed forces of the United States.”
Researcher and Designer
Joy Locke & Joe Irons
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