Jamie Smith (soldier)

Cpl. James "Jamie" Edgar Smith Jr. (1972 – October 3 1993) was a U.S. Army Ranger who served in Mogadishu, Somalia. He was one of the 18 American soldiers killed during the The Battle of Mogadishu, bleeding to death after being shot in the thigh. Smith was the eldest of three sons of James H. Smith, a Vietnam War veteran.

Early life

Jamie Smith was born in 1972 to James and Carol Smith. He was from Long Valley, New Jersey. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980CE4D9103FF935A35753C1A965958260 "THE SOMALIA MISSION; Pentagon Identifies Fatalities in Somalia"] , "The New York Times", October 6. 1993. Accessed December 26, 2007. "SMITH, Spc. James E., 21, Long Valley, N.J."] Smith graduated from West Morris Central High School in 1990, where he played both varsity lacrosse and football. After graduation, Smith went on to enlist in the US Army, his goal all along to become an Army Ranger. [Hanley, Robert. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE6DE1530F934A35753C1A965958260 "THE SOMALIA MISSION; Relatives Recount Dreams of 2 Killed in Somalia"] , "The New York Times", October 7, 1993. Accessed December 26, 2007. "Mr. Smith, himself a retired Army Ranger captain who lost the lower half of his left leg in combat in Vietnam in 1967, shared portions of his 21-year-old son's letter, dated Sept. 25, at a news conference near their home here and talked about his son's boyhood, his decision to enlist in the Army after graduating from West Morris Central High School here in 1990 and his death after a month's duty in Somalia."] Smith became a machine gunner, and was one of the top in his particular regiment. He was quickly promoted to corporal.

Military Service

Smith was one of 18 US military personnel killed in action in Somalia between October 3 and 4, 1993. He had been part of a Rangers unit that fast roped down from a helicopter in support of a mission to capture Somali clan leaders. He was among the first Rangers to arrive at the scene of a downed helicopter. The Rangers did not want to leave dead bodies in the helicopter; Somalis were known for mutilating American bodies. He was helping a fellow soldier when an enemy bullet struck his thigh, severing his femoral artery. Although the other Rangers whom were with him at the time did all they could to save his life by administering fluids and taking turns pinching off the severed artery, Smith passed away shortly before 8pm on October 3. He was 21 years old.

Film and Book portrayals

In the 2001 film "Black Hawk Down", based on the operation, Smith was portrayed by Charlie Hofheimer and served as Matt Eversmann's second in command. The most notable scene including Smith was shortly after he was shot in the leg, being cared for by other United States soldiers attempting to save his life. Jamie Smith's role in the Battle of Mogadishu was described in the novel . Smith's father was extensively interviewed by the book's author, Mark Bowden, prior to being published in 1999.

Tributes

Jamie Smith was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star with Valor Device and Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a Purple Heart.

During the reading of a tribute to him in the senate he was said to be "dedicated and responsible...extremely focused on his commitment to the U.S. Army" [TRIBUTE TO SPC. JAMES SMITH, COMPANY B, 3D BATTALION, 75TH RANGER REGIMENT (Senate - November 10, 1993)"Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I stand before you today to pay tribute to Spc. James Smith , a Ranger tragically killed in the recent clash with Somali forces loyal to warlord Mohamed Farah Aideed. Along with 11 other U.S. soldiers, Mr. Smith died when he was pinned down near the crash site of a U.S. helicopter.

James Smith , a New Jersey native, graduated from West Morris Central High School, Long Valley, NJ. While growing up, he participated in the Boy Scouts and varsity lacrosse and football. Following the family tradition, Jamie, as his family and friends knew him, decided to try for the elite Ranger unit with which his father had served in Vietnam. In October of 1990, he enlisted in the Army and trained in Fort Benning, GA. He was sent to Somalia on a mission of mercy at the end of August.

Specialist Smith was the leader of the five-man unit trained for fast, highly violent confrontations. After entering the Army, James not only became more dedicated and responsible, he also became extremely focused on his commitment to the U.S. Army.

Like his comrades, Specialist Smith died a hero. This country is indebted to him for his service. As the more than 800 mourners at his memorial service demonstrated, his passing leaves a void in the lives of many. His commitment to his nation, his strength of character, and his love of family and friends will always be remembered."]

ee also

*Battle of Mogadishu (1993)
*Black Hawk Down (book)
*Black Hawk Down (film)
*Fall of Mogadishu
*Operation Gothic Serpent
*Somali Civil War

References

References

*Bowden, Mark, Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, Atlantic Monthly Press (1999)
*http://www.nightstalkers.com/tfranger/memorial/smith/index.html
*http://www.hollywood.com/movie/Black_Hawk_Down/416131