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| PFC Ernest Smith lost his life during his battalion's attack at La Fiere. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30086198/ernest-smith https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/airborne-at-la-fiere-slugfest-in-normandy/ |
Ernest Smith never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on March 3, 1919 in North Carolina. His parents Thomas and Josephine were also both born in Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively. His father worked as a farm laborer. His mother died when he was four years old. Ernest had two older brothers and one younger brother.
He was drafted into the army on February 14, 1942. He became a private first class in the Headquarter Company, 2nd Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Infantry Division. By the time it reached England, the 2nd Battalion was transferred to the 82nd Infantry Division and became the 3rd Battalion, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment.
PFC Smith made a safe glider landing on D-Day+1, June 7, 1944 around 0700 about a mile and a half south-west of St. Mere Eglise, a change of locations because the planned landing zone was still in German hands. PFC Smith was killed on June 9, 1944, the day the 82nd Airborne attacked the La Fiere causeway. The Americans needed to take this to deny the Germans their best path to attack Utah Beach. Smith's battalion was ordered to make a 500 yard sprint over open ground that resulted in many casualties. With reinforcements, the 82nd took the causeway by day end.
His grave is at Brendle Hill Cemetery in Bryson City, North Carolina.
Last year on this date I profiled Kent West, the first American gunner to shoot down a German airplane. You can read about Kent here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
Thank you for allowing us to remember Our heroes, Thank-You and RIP All, we Owe you all so much
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