thedrifter
12-03-07, 03:18 PM
Smith, WWII veteran finally receives medals
Jason Clarke
The Express-Star
CHICKASHA— As a soldier, Marine Corporal Bill Smith declined his two purple hearts. As a father, Smith wished to be able to pass the medals on to his two daughters.
On Thursday, Congressman Tom Cole helped make that wish a reality, when he presented Smith with his World War II service medals at the regular meeting of the Chickasha Rotary Club.
“It always amazes me how many heroes there are in America who don’t say anything,” Cole said.
Smith told the audience he had originally declined all of his service medals as they were in combat and moving from island to island. Smith said he did not have the time nor cared about the medals.
It was not until his two daughters began asking about the medals that Smith said he wished he had them to pass on.
Smith spent a total of 31 months in the Marines during World War II. Smith said he joined when he was 17 and went to boot camp.
Just after turning 18, in November of 1943, Smith said he was under the Golden Gate Bridge. In January of 1944, he was landing in the Marshall Islands with the 22nd Marines 6th Division.
Smith received his first purple heart after the Marines cut off the Orote Peninsula and had suffered a Banzai attack in July of ‘44.
“You never forget the longest night of your life,” Smith said.
The following day a Japanese sniper caught Smith in the leg with a bullet.
In May of 1945, the Marines landed on Okinawa.
Smith said another plane had come in from the Pacific side of the island as a decoy.
When the Japanese soldiers had been diverted to the eastern side of the island, the 22nd Marines came in from the west and successfully landed.
Smith said their opposition was a single Japanese plane. One of the bullets from the plane ricocheted and caught Smith in the shoulder.
After two purple hearts, a soldier was sent home from the war.
Smith said by the time he reached home, though, the war was over.
The veteran said he has a number of stories, but he does not like to discuss battle.
“Don’t ask me to talk about combat, cause there is no way to describe combat. So I won’t talk about combat,” Smith said.
Cole presented Smith with a purple heart with a star, signifying two purple hearts, as well as his other medals earned during World War II.
“You’ve made two daughters very happy,” Smith said.
Ellie
Jason Clarke
The Express-Star
CHICKASHA— As a soldier, Marine Corporal Bill Smith declined his two purple hearts. As a father, Smith wished to be able to pass the medals on to his two daughters.
On Thursday, Congressman Tom Cole helped make that wish a reality, when he presented Smith with his World War II service medals at the regular meeting of the Chickasha Rotary Club.
“It always amazes me how many heroes there are in America who don’t say anything,” Cole said.
Smith told the audience he had originally declined all of his service medals as they were in combat and moving from island to island. Smith said he did not have the time nor cared about the medals.
It was not until his two daughters began asking about the medals that Smith said he wished he had them to pass on.
Smith spent a total of 31 months in the Marines during World War II. Smith said he joined when he was 17 and went to boot camp.
Just after turning 18, in November of 1943, Smith said he was under the Golden Gate Bridge. In January of 1944, he was landing in the Marshall Islands with the 22nd Marines 6th Division.
Smith received his first purple heart after the Marines cut off the Orote Peninsula and had suffered a Banzai attack in July of ‘44.
“You never forget the longest night of your life,” Smith said.
The following day a Japanese sniper caught Smith in the leg with a bullet.
In May of 1945, the Marines landed on Okinawa.
Smith said another plane had come in from the Pacific side of the island as a decoy.
When the Japanese soldiers had been diverted to the eastern side of the island, the 22nd Marines came in from the west and successfully landed.
Smith said their opposition was a single Japanese plane. One of the bullets from the plane ricocheted and caught Smith in the shoulder.
After two purple hearts, a soldier was sent home from the war.
Smith said by the time he reached home, though, the war was over.
The veteran said he has a number of stories, but he does not like to discuss battle.
“Don’t ask me to talk about combat, cause there is no way to describe combat. So I won’t talk about combat,” Smith said.
Cole presented Smith with a purple heart with a star, signifying two purple hearts, as well as his other medals earned during World War II.
“You’ve made two daughters very happy,” Smith said.
Ellie