HARRY J. SMITH, 37300277, Private, 508th Parachute
Infantry. For Gallantry in action on 4 July 1944 in ***,
FRANCE. During the assault of the Second Battalion, 508th
Parachute Infantry, on Hill 95, Private SMITH, Company "E", was the
last medical aid man left in the column. Regardless of the
hazards, he exerted himself continuously to reach wounded men and
care for them. Throughout the attack, the battalion was
subjected to intense mortar and artillery fire which inflicted
numerous casualties. One company reached the hill and went
into position, but Private SMITH distained cover and returned over
the route of the attack to being in the casualties. When the
next company came into position, he went out in the face of direct
enemy fire to recovered wounded. Throughout the engagement,
Private SMITH's superb courage, determination and conscientious
perseverance above the call of duty was in the high tradition of the
Airborne Forces of the United States Army. Entered military
service from MINNESOTA.
Taken from Phil Nordyke's book "Put Us Down In Hell"
is the following personal account:
During the daylong fighting, Private Harry J. Smith,
E Company’s last medic, braved enemy fire to reach wounded troopers
in exposed positions and evacuate them under direct enemy fire to
the relative safety of a ditch. One of those wounded was Corporal
Bob Newhart. “I was hit across the back—several of us laid in a
ditch for about thirty-six hours.”
