- SURNAME
Smith
- FORENAME
Roger Eastman
- UNIT
1 Raider Bn (Company B)
- RANK
First Lieutenant
- NUMBER
0-18548
- DATE OF DEATH
21st July 1944
- AGE
23
- GRAVESITE
Evergreen Cemetery, Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, USA
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 19.01.1921, Salem, Rutherford County, Tennessee, USA
father Sidney Bertrand Smith (1871-1953)
mother Lucy Carolyn (nee Currey) Smith (1884-1975)
Next of kin - father Dr Sidney Smith, Overall, Tennessee
award Navy Cross
KIA Guam,Marianas Is.
DATE OF DEATH:
21-Jul-1944AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/smith-roger-e.29798/CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Roger E. Smith (MCSN: 0-18548), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Mortar Platoon Leader in Company B, First Battalion, Fourth Marines (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine Brigade, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Guam in the Marianas Islands on 21 July 1944. Moving his mortar platoon up from the beach in the rear of advancing riflemen, First Lieutenant Smith observed a wounded rifleman lying close to a hostile pillbox and, halting his men, fearlessly advanced to the aid of the Marine under a continuous barrage from the Japanese emplacement. Engaging the enemy with rifle fire and hand grenades, he held his position despite the fierce opposition and attempted to neutralize the pillbox with a flame-thrower but, failing in this, continued to move up on the enemy while firing his rifle and, although mortally wounded during the bitter hostilities, succeeded in silencing the hostile gun-battery. By his determined initiative, valiant fighting spirit and resolute fortitude in the face of terrific odds, First Lieutenant Smith contributed materially to the ultimate success of our forces in recapturing this vital stronghold, and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/8475FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82985216/roger-eastman-smith
Last edited by a moderator:
