PVT George Truett Smalley was born 26 Jul 1915 in Bailey County, Texas. Called Buck by his family, he was the 2nd child and only son of George Andrew and Ama Belle (Collins) Smalley. His father farmed for others and clerked at harvest time. His father later enlisted in the Navy, prior to WWI, and served for several years. It was during this time that Buck's parents became estranged and his mother moved with her 2 children to Floydada, Texas. Ama wanted a good life and a good education for her children and despite the difficulties of single-parentage and the Great Depression she managed, clerking and with the hard work of both children doing small jobs, to put both children through college. Buck attended West Texas State University for 2 years and then 2 years at the University of Texas in Austin where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in business administration. So, each child helped the other through their education. George married Martha June White on 9 Jan 1943. The couple would have a son by the end of the year. Buck worked as a salesman for John Deere Implement Company, Wilson Packing Company, and J. M. Radford Wholesale Grocery Company. Buck moved his family to Clovis, New Mexico where his sister was living with her family and their mother.
Buck was drafted in October 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Smalley was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry to serve as a rifleman. PVT Smalley was killed in action near Aachen, Germany on 14 Oct 1944.
PVT Smalley was repatriated and re-interred in the
Floydada Cemetery in Floydada, Texas.
As mentioned, Buck's father served as Chief Yeoman for 4 years in the U.S. Navy. Great-grandfather, George Washington Smalley served as a PVT in D Company 5th Tennessee Infantry (USA) in the Civil War. Great-grandfather John Berry Collins served in B Company 42nd Georgia Infantry (CSA) in the Civil War.
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