Lafayette Smith was drafted in the Army in July 1944, along with another Lenoir County resident, Eddie Hart. After basic training, they sent to Europe as replacements and were assigned Company G, 329 Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Regiment. While engaging some German Force near Barby, Germany, Eddie Hart was killed. In 2003, Breda Hughes of Wet Bird Productions did a documentary about the death of Eddie Hart. Lafayette Smith is also featured in the film.
