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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:
December 26, 1914 at Lexington, OK
Entered Service in the US
Marine Corps from Oklahoma
Earned the Medal of Honor during World War II For heroism on
August - September, 1942 at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
DIED: June
09, 1972 at the age of 57
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Major Smith
was commanding officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 223 during
operations against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal in the
Solomon Islands area. Repeatedly risking his life in aggressive
and daring attacks, Major Smith led his squadron against a
determined force, greatly superior in numbers, personally
shooting down 16 Japanese planes between August and 15 September
15, 1942. In spite of the limited combat experience of many of
the pilots of this squadron, they achieved the notable record of
a total of 83 enemy aircraft destroyed in this period, mainly
attributable to the thorough training under Major Smith and to
his intrepid and inspiring leadership. His bold tactics and
indomitable fighting spirit, and the valiant and zealous
fortitude of the men of his command not only rendered the
enemy's attacks ineffective and costly to Japan, but contributed
to the security of our advance base.
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