PFC Howard Smith

courtesy of Des Philippet

PFC Howard Smith was born 28 Dec 1911 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the only child of Walter Elmer and Loretta Maggie (Windfield) Smith. Soon after he was born the family returned to his father's native Trenton, New Jersey. Walter worked at many jobs to support his family. Fish salesman, laundry foreman, bartender, nothing seemed beyond his capabilities. Working as a bartender, he reported a 1939 income of $1600. Howard had moved back to Philadelphia by 1940. His mother died in September 1942 at the age of 50.

Howard enlisted in September 1940. We do not yet know of his service before he was transferred from the replacement depot to  L Company 116th Infantry on 25 Jun 1944. PVT Smith was wounded in the fight for Saint-Lo, France on 15 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 19 Sep 1944, again serving as a rifleman. He was promoted to PFC on 1 Nov 1944. According to the morning report he was wounded but did not report the wound(s) and died on 8 Nov 1944.

PFC Smith is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.