[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 116 (Friday, July 29, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CPT WILLIAM SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE STIVERS

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2011

  Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor CPT William Smith, 
who passed away July 15, 2011, at the age of 93. A true American hero, 
CPT Smith charged the beaches of Normandy, survived the Battle of the 
Bulge, and continued on to serve in the Korean Conflict.
  D-Day for CPT Smith began hours before thousands braved the beaches 
of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Under the cover of darkness, he rowed 
alone onto Omaha Beach, making ready for his duty as a forward 
observer. Burying himself for hours beneath a concrete slab and under 
heavy enemy fire, CPT Smith used only the lights of German artillery to 
locate their guns, calling in the targets to US Naval ships protecting 
the invasion. CPT Smith survived D-Day, spending 12 grueling hours 
alone in his make-shift post with nothing but infantry assault elements 
to protect him.
  CPT William Smith also fought in the invasions of North Africa and 
Sicily. In total, CPT. Smith served in seven European campaigns, 
including the infamous Battle of the Bulge, never once putting his own 
safety before that of his country. For his service in the 32nd Field 
Artillery, 1st Infantry Division, he was awarded the D-Day medal, World 
War II medal, French Freedom and Jubilee medals and the Bronze Star 
with V for Valor.
  Less than a decade later, CPT Smith once again answered his country's 
call to duty, serving as an invasion specialist in the Korean Conflict. 
Upon returning home, he built Kisco Photo Service into a dominant force 
in the camera and film market. Smith then went on to serve as the 
Chairman of Sales and Marketing Technology at Columbus Technical 
College at age 53. Bill never lost touch with his comrades in arms, 
joining both the VFW Lodge #2398, Worthington, Ohio and AMVETS, 
Worthington Post #239. He was a member of New England Lodge #4, F & AM 
and a 32nd degree Mason, Valley of Columbus.
  Married 70 years to wife Berni, with two children, Bill and Shirley, 
Smith fully lived his family values. Smith's son, Bill E. Smith, spoke 
of his late father as a man of faith, of family, and of community. And 
that is just how we will remember him.

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