Born: March 13, 1924
Died: January 26, 2000
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan (wounded)
Highest Rank Attained: Private First Class
Decorations: Purple Heart
Vernon Smith was born in California in 1924. He enlisted in the Marines at the age of 18, and was sent to San Diego for boot camp. Smith qualified as an expert rifleman, and attended machine gun school at Camp Elliott. He was assigned to duty at the Tongue Point Naval Air Station in Astoria before joining the 24th Marines at Camp Pendleton.
With Dog Company:
Vernon Smith served as a heavy machine gunner with Dog Company's First Platoon. He saw his first combat on Namur, and was transferred to Able Company in March, 1944.
With Able Company:
PFC Smith was designated as an ammunition carrier with Able Company's machine gun platoon. He landed on Saipan, but was shot through the chest and evacuated on June 16, 1944. Smith was sent back to the States for hospitalization. He pulled through, and was assigned to guard duty at the main San Diego Naval Hospital until being discharged on November 14, 1945.
After the war, Smith moved to Elkhart, Indiana. He joined the sheriff's department, and attained the rank of captain before retiring. Smith and his wife Ruth retired to her hometown of Manchester, Tennessee, where he died in 2000.
Vernon Smith is buried in Manchester City Cemetery, Manchester, TN.
Photo by Sheila Bumbalough, FindAGrave.com volunteer.