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TAPS
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night. |

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Born: March 29, 1873 at
Rockford, IL
Entered Service in the US
Army from Bartlett, ND
Earned
The Medal of Honor During World War I For heroism September
29, 1918 at Binarville, France
Died: September 29, 1918 at the age of 45
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When
communication from the forward regimental post of command to the
battalion leading the advance had been interrupted temporarily
by the infiltration of small parties of the enemy armed with
machineguns, Lieutenant Colonel Smith personally led a party of
two other officers and ten soldiers, and went forward to
reestablish runner posts and carry ammunition to the front line.
The guide became confused and the party strayed to the left
flank beyond the outposts of supporting troops, suddenly coming
under fire from a group of enemy machineguns only 50 yards away.
Shouting to the other members of his party to take cover
Lieutenant Colonel Smith, in disregard of personal danger, drew
his pistol and opened fire on the German guncrew. About this
time he fell, severely wounded in the side, but regaining his
footing, he continued to fire on the enemy until most of the men
in his party were out of danger. Refusing first-aid treatment he
then made his way in plain view of the enemy to a hand grenade
dump and returned under continued heavy machinegun fire for the
purpose of making another attack on the enemy emplacements. As
he was attempting to ascertain the exact location of the nearest
nest, he again fell, mortally wounded .
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