December 21, 2007
Remembering MSgt Harry Smith
The local obituary page is a constant reminder of the dwindling number of World War II veterans in our midst -- and of the missed opportunities to thank them for their service, and hear first-hand their incredible life stories.
Like that of Harry H. Smith.
Harry "Dick" [Smith] was born in Summerville, Okla., Aug. 29, 1920, to John and Jewell Smith.
He joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1940 and was stationed on the Bataan Peninsula when the Japanese attacked the Philippines. He first avoided capture in the Peninsula by swimming to Corregidor, where he was later captured and made to march in the Bataan Death March. He remained a prisoner of war for 42 months.
As a prisoner of war, he witnessed the mushroom cloud made by the dropping of an atomic bomb. Harry remained in the Army Air Corps and Air Force until his retirement in 1961. Harry retired as a master sergeant and was awarded numerous medals and citations, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal.
Harry worked in civil service and retired from the Point Mugu Naval Base.
Those few sentences sent chills down my spine; Bataan Death March, swimming to Corregidor, witness to the A-bomb blast that ensured the war's end.
What a life!
You can leave your condolences here, and tell the family, "Thanks" for Harry's service.
Posted by Mike Lief at December 21, 2007 10:45 AM
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Comments
One of our WWI vets died yesterday. Only two left....
Posted by: RM1(SS) (ret) at December 21, 2007 08:35 PM