Furman L. Smith

Infobox Military Person
name=Furman L. Smith
born= birth date|1925|5|11
died= death date and age|1944|5|31|1925|5|11
placeofbirth=Six Mile, South Carolina
placeofdeath=near Lanuvio, Italy
placeofburial=Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Central, South Carolina


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=Private First Class
commands=
unit=135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division
battles=World War II
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Furman L. Smith (May 11, 1925 – May 31, 1944) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Biography

Smith joined the Army from Central, South Carolina, and by May 31, 1944 was serving as a private in the 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division. During a battle on that day, near Lanuvio, Italy, his group came under intense German attack and began to withdraw. Smith voluntarily stayed behind with the wounded and protected them until he was overrun and killed. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later, on January 24, 1945.

Smith, aged 19 at his death, was buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Central, South Carolina.

Medal of Honor citation

Private Smith's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. In its attack on a strong point, an infantry company was held up by intense enemy fire. The group to which Pvt. Smith belonged was far in the lead when attacked by a force of 80 Germans. The squad leader and 1 other man were seriously wounded and other members of the group withdrew to the company position, but Pvt. Smith refused to leave his wounded comrades. He placed them in the shelter of shell craters and then alone faced a strong enemy counterattack, temporarily checking it by his accurate rifle fire at close range, killing and wounding many of the foe. Against overwhelming odds, he stood his ground until shot down and killed, rifle in hand.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II

References

*findagrave|7814699 Retrieved on 2007-11-01

*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (M-S)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = July 16, 2007
url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/wwII-m-s.html
accessdate = 2007-11-01

Persondata
NAME= Smith, Furman L.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH= May 11, 1925
PLACE OF BIRTH= Six Mile, South Carolina
DATE OF DEATH= May 31, 1944
PLACE OF DEATH= near Lanuvio, Italy