Grave marker for Pfc Paul D. Smith in Holly Hill Memorial Park, Thomasville (Davidson county), North Carolina.

Paul enlisted in the Army on 8 Jan 1943 at Camp Croft SC and volunteered for parachutist duty.

Pvt Smith was assigned to Company G, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Camp Blanding, FL for basic training. The regiment then moved to Fort Benning, GA for jump school followed by a move to Camp Mackall, NC for advanced training.

Pfc Smith jumped into Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944. He was killed in action on 14 June 1944.

Smith's body was first interred in The American Temporary Cemetery in Blosville, France, Plot A, Rows 2, Grave 22.

Following the war, families were given the option to have their loved ones laid to final in the newly built permanent Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France or returned to his home area.

Pfc Smith's remains were returned to North Carolina for interment which was held on 13 August 1948