NORMAN SMITH, 33297725, Technician Fifth Grade, 508th Parachute Infantry. For
gallantry in action on 15-16 October 1944,near ***, HOLLAND.
Technician Fifth Grade SMITH, with one comrade, voluntarily patrolled to a
point more than a mile behind enemy lines and remained in hostile territory
more than twenty-four hours. They noted all German activity in the
area and pin-pointed installations. On the return trip, they walked
boldly through the German positions in the dark, greeting enemy soldiers
with the word "comrade". After crossing the dyke and canal, they
decided to return to the hostile lines and bring out a prisoner. They
greeted the first German found in a foxhole and forced him to leave quietly
and returned to friendly lines. The prisoner and the information
secured by Technician Fifth Grade SMITH and his companion proved of the highest
value. His daring and efficient performance of a valuable service
secured the first vital data in the sector, all previous patrols having
failed to penetrate enemy lines. The courage and skill displayed by
Technician Fifth Grade SMITH was a great credit to himself and to the Airborne
Forces of the United States Army. Entered military service from
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA.
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