[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 183 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE HEROIC LIFE OF CHARLES SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 2021

  Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic life of 
Charles Smith on the occasion of his passing.
  Mr. Charles Smith was born in Keene, New York in 1924 to Samuel and 
Elsie Smith. In 1943, he was drafted to fight in World War II and 
joined the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division. Mr. Smith had grown up 
skiing during intense winters in Upstate New York and decided to enlist 
as a ski trooper, soldiers specifically trained for mountainous 
warfare. His unit was sent to Italy where they fought in the Apennine 
Mountains and the Po Valley, at one point fighting for 20 continuous 
days and crossing 120 miles. Facing snipers, mines, and machine guns, 
his unit experienced the highest casualty count for their size and 
period in combat with 992 deaths and 4,000 wounded.
  While bravely defending his country, Mr. Smith was injured by enemy 
shrapnel but courageously continued to fight alongside his unit. Mr. 
Smith was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his heroic 
service to his country.
  After the war, Mr. Smith married his wife, Roberta Louisa Manley, and 
had three children. He became a carpenter and worked on building 
Plattsburgh Air Force Base. Always dedicated to his community, he was 
also a proud volunteer at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital for over 
a decade.
  On behalf of New York's 21st District, I am honored to recognize the 
extraordinary life of Charles Smith, and his brave and selfless service 
to his country. It is my hope that his fearless spirit and bravery will 
be carried on by those who knew and loved him.

                          ____________________