[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 77 (Thursday, May 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY SERGEANT (SGT) 
                          JOHN McCLELLAN SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army 
Sergeant (SGT) John McClellan Smith who paid the ultimate sacrifice 
while defending our great nation on May 12, 2005, during Operation 
Iraqi Freedom. SGT Smith was killed when an improvised explosive device 
detonated near his convoy in Iskandariyah, Iraq. During his tour in 
Iraq, SGT Smith's assignment was to train members of the Iraqi National 
Guard.
  SGT Smith was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry 
Regiment, Fort Irwin, California, which was attached to the 155th BCT 
of Mississippi. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort 
Bragg before joining the California unit. SGT Smith was a JROTC cadet 
at New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina where he also 
played football, baseball, and lacrosse before graduating in 2000.
  During SGT Smith's funeral, Brigadier General Mike Ferriter of the 
82nd Airborne Division presented Smith's mother, Judy Smith, with the 
Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Global 
War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
  Sergeant First Class Richard Mitchell of the 82nd Airborne Division 
presented Mrs. Smith with the American flag. He told the Associated 
Press that SGT Smith was committed to serving his country.
  ``Smitty was a great soldier,'' SFC Mitchell said. ``He died doing 
what he wanted to do.''
  SGT Smith's devotion to his nation will not be forgotten.

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