Four Sons Overseas
Two Are in Italy, One in Philippines and Other on the Pacific
Four sons of Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Smith, 1315 S. St. Aubin Street, are overseas, two of them in Italy, one in the Philippines and another on a ship on the south Pacific. But they plan a great day when they all get home again.
Just now the principal bit of family news is the citation which “Bill” or Pfc. William James Smith has received. He is an infantryman whose wife and daughter Patricia live at Green Bay, Wisconsin.
“He was cited by the 350th Battle Mountain regiment of the 88th Blue Devil division and awarded the combat infantryman badge for participation in combat against the enemy with the Fifth Army in Italy, his wife wrote his parents. The decoration is one awarded to the infantry soldier who has proved his fighting ability in combat and is a silver rifle set against infantry blue within a silver wreath.
John, with a T-5 rating in the quartermaster corps in Italy, ate Thanksgiving dinner there with his brother William, and it was their first reunion for seven years.
Seaman Jerome P. Smith, boatswain’s mate first class, is in the South Pacific. His wife lives in San Diego. About three months ago he met his brother, Pfc. Earl Smith, with an engineering force in the Philippines and it was their first reunion after seven years. Jerome experienced the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined the navy six years ago.
A fifth son of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Sylvester Smith, was in the army, but has been honorably discharged. Other children are Mrs. Roy Lander, Miss Katherine Smith, Miss Patricia and Miss Theresa Smith. All except Mrs. Lander are living at home.
An Easter day letter from James brought the family close in spirit, they say. James wrote: “Went to mass and to communion this morning for all of you and it was wonderful to hear the choir of Italian orphans sing the mass.
Things are looking up for our side and I keep hoping and praying that it won’t be long before we can all be together again.”
Source: The Sioux City Journal, April 22, 1945
