Pvt. William A. Smith

In June 1944, Smith was assigned to Company C, 149th Engineer Combat Battalion in the European Theater. On June 6, Smith was aboard Landing Craft Infantry (Large) 92, along with roughly 200 other servicemembers, enroute to land on Omaha Beach, in Normandy, France. As LCI-92 steamed toward the shore, it struck an underwater mine which caused the craft to burst into flames. The craft was also hit by enemy artillery fire, causing an explosion that ignited the ships fuel stores and instantly killed everyone in the troop compartment. Due to the urgency of the situation, it was impossible for others to search for survivors. Smith’s remains were not accounted for after the war.

In June and August 2021, the Department of Defense and ABMC officials exhumed the comingled remains of four Unknowns and transferred them to the DPAA Laboratory for analysis. To identify Smith’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.

Pvt. Smith’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette has been placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Pvt. Smith was the loving son of Peter A. and Ida M. Smith of Syracuse, MO. He had two brothers, Clement A. [Helen] Smith and Lewis Lee Smith. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Ruth Smith.

Family contact: Janet Conkle, Gentryville, IN

A visitation for Pvt. Smith will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, from 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM at Hoffmeister South County Chapel, 1515 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63125, with Committal Service at 2:00 PM at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63125. Condolences may be offered at www.hoffmeistersouthcounty.com