Name:
Harry W. Smith
Rank:
Private First Class
Serial Number:
Unit:
28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Date of Death:
1918-05-28
State:
Indiana
Cemetery:
Somme American Cemetery, Bony, France
Plot:
C
Row:
12
Grave:
15
Decoration:
Comments:
Harry William Smith was born on August 24, 1894 near Milan, IN. He grew up on a farm and had a common school education. Enlisting on October 28, 1916, he was assigned to Co. F, 28th Infantry. Along with the 16th, 18th, and 26th, Harry's infantry regiment embarked for France under personal command of General Pershing, landing at St. Nazaire on June 25, 1917. (These American troops had the distinction of being the first to disembark in France in the war.) After several months' of trench warfare and a number of successful offensives, Harry was killed instantly by a shell that hit him as well as his lieutenant. He died on May 28, 1918 and is now buried in Somme American Cemetery, Bony, France.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com