PFC Robert A. Smith Jr.
Today we honor and remember PFC Robert Smith Jr., of the 101st Airborne Division, who was killed in The Battle of the Bulge.
According to the January 1st, 1945, Morning Report of HQ, 1st Battalion, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, PFC Robert Archie Smith Jr. was seriously wounded in action on December 25, 1944.
The 1st Battalion troopers of the 327th were positioned between Senonchamps and Ile-la-Hesse, with outpost lines extending to almost Mande-St.-Etienne. At Christmas Day 1944, 1st Battalion was engaged in a battle with the enemy, moving into battle positions and placing machine guns and mortars into action. The return fire of the Germans was intense and it was probably during these moments that PFC Smith was mortally wounded. He would succumb to his wounds two days later, on December 27, 1944.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
Born on May 2, 1912, in Moore County, North Carolina, he died at the age of 32.
PFC Robert A. Smith Jr. was first buried in a very shallow grave at a civil cemetery in Bastogne on December 27th, and coincidentally next to PVT James P. Grennan, honored in our post yesterday. He would be reburied at the Temporary American Military Cemetery Grand Failly, France, at Section I, Row 10, Grave 245, again next to PVT Grennan.
At the wishes of his mother, his body was returned to the U.S. in November 1948. He rests eternally at Lakeview Cemetery, Lakeview, Moore County, North Carolina. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.
Lest we forget! 🇺🇸