Fred E. Smith-Arlington VA
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 38° 52.884 W 077° 04.536
18S E 319962 N 4305663
World War I Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Binarville (Argonne Forest), France on September 29, 1918. He was killed in action. His cenotaph is inscribed on the back of his father’s marker, Eliphaz Smith in Arlington National Cemetery.
Waymark Code: WMWQXC
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 10/04/2017
Views: 0
He was born on March 29, 1873 in Bartlett, ND and died on September 29, 1918 in France. His father’s marker in Arlington National Cemetery is in Section 1, site 305A. He is buried in France and has a Medal of Honor marker in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Lorraine, France in Section A, Row 7, Plot 18. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *SMITH, FRED E.
Rank and Organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 308th Infantry, 77th Division. Place and Date: Near Binarville, France, 29 September 1918. Entered Service At: Bartlett, N. Dak. Birth: Rockford, Ill. G. O. NO.: 49, W.D., 1922.
Citation:
When communication from the forward regimental post of command to the battalion leading the advance had been interrupted temporarily by the infiltration of small parties of the enemy armed with machineguns, Lt. Col. Smith personally led a party of 2 other officers and 10 soldiers, and went forward to reestablish runner posts and carry ammunition to the front line. The guide became confused and the party strayed to the left flank beyond the outposts of supporting troops, suddenly coming under fire from a group of enemy machineguns only 50 yards away. Shouting to the other members of his party to take cover this officer, in disregard of his danger, drew his pistol and opened fire on the German guncrew. About this time he fell, severely wounded in the side, but regaining his footing, he continued to fire on the enemy until most of the men in his party were out of danger. Refusing first-aid treatment he then made his way in plain view of the enemy to a handgrenade dump and returned under continued heavy machinegun fire for the purpose of making another attack on the enemy emplacements. As he was attempting to ascertain the exact location of the nearest nest, he again fell, mortally wounded .
Armed Service: Army
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