Private First Class Willie J. Smith was born at Walstonburg, North Carolina of December 17, 1925. He was inducted into the United States Army as April 4, 1944 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was trained as an Infantry Soldier and sent to the European Theater arriving on July 20, 1944. There he was assigned to E Company, 311 Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division as Mortar Gunner. He participated in the Battle of the Ardennes in January 1945. PFC Smith was wounded in Germany on January 30, 1945.
His awards include The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Purple Heart Medal, The Good Conduct Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Battle Stars. He was separated from the Army on January 25, 1946.
The State of North Carolina dedicated the North Carolina Veterans Park at Fayetteville, North Carolina on July 4, 2011. Veteran Willie J. Smith’s handprint is one of four that appears on the Lenoir County pylon.
