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 04, 1949 at Front Royal, VA
Entered Service in the US
Marine Corps from Orlando, FL
Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Vietnam War For heroism on
December 20 & 21, 1967 at Happy Valley, Phouc Ninh
(2), Vietnam
DIED: December
21, 1967 at the age of 18
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Corporal
Smedley led his six-man squad to an ambush site at the mouth of
Happy Valley, near Phouc Ninh. That night an estimated 100
enemy, carrying 122mm rocket launchers and mortars, were
observed moving toward Hill 41. Realizing this was a significant
enemy move to launch an attack on the vital Da Nang complex,
Corporal Smedley immediately took courageous action to stop the
enemy threat. After he radioed for a reaction force, he
skillfully maneuvered his men to a more advantageous position
and led an attack on the numerically superior enemy force. An
enemy machinegun on the left flank inflicted several casualties
on his unit. Simultaneously, an enemy rifle grenade exploded
nearby, wounding him in the right foot and knocking him to the
ground. He ignored this serious injury and struggled to his
feet, and led a charge against the machinegun emplacement,
firing his rifle and throwing grenades, until he was again
struck by enemy fire and knocked to the ground. Gravely wounded
and weak from loss of blood, he rose and commenced a one-man
assault. Although his aggressive and single-handed attack
resulted in the destruction of the machinegun, he was struck in
the chest by enemy fire and fell mortally wounded.
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