Honor Mission
William H. Smith
US Army - WW II Veteran
US Navy Veteran and
Firefighter
Clarence, NY - 11/04/2023
Mission applies to the following Region(s):
Region 1, Region 2
About the Mission:
The family of WW-II Veteran William H. Smith has requested Patriot Guard Riders participation in honoring his extraordinary life and service. Mr. Smith of Clarence, NY, passed away on 16 August 2023 at the age of 100. Mr. Smith generously donated his body to the University of Buffalo Anatomical Gift Program.
Mr. Smith served our nation for over 4 years on active duty in the US Army Airborne from 1942-1946, with an Army MOS of 931-Truck Driver. He had 2-1/2 years of foreign service in the European Theater of Operations, assigned to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. He was among the very brave soldiers who jumped behind enemy lines on D-Day, and was also involved in fighting during the Battle of the Bulge, as well as the crossing of the Rhine River. In addition to his parachute activities, Mr. Smith "Drove both heavy & light trucks, hauling all types of supplies. Also drove heavy wreckers, did night driving, averaged 300 miles per day, and made all types of repairs on vehicles."
Mr. Smith was honorably discharged from Army active duty on 26 February 1946 with the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6), and then served our nation in the US Navy from 1950-1951, with a rating of Commissaryman Ship's Cook (CSG), and received his honorable discharge from active duty on 20 September 1951 with the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class (E-6.)
For his military service, Mr. Smith earned the following awards: Army Good Conduct Medal; Navy Good Conduct Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/3 Campaign Stars (4 Awards); National Defense Service Medal; Army Occupation Medal (Germany); WW-II Victory Medal; Army Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster (2 Awards); Army Expert Infantryman Badge; Army Parachutist Wings; and Expert Weapons Qualification Badges for Rifle, Pistol and Machine Gun.
Mr. Smith served the Clarence, NY community as a very active member of the Clarence Fire Company and Clarence Fire District No. 1 for over 50 years.
You are encouraged to read Mr. Smith's full obituary by clicking here:
Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:
11/04/2023 at 12:30pm
Staging Location:
Clarence Fire Hall
10355 Main Street (Rt. 5)
Clarence, NY 14031
Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Richard "Dixie" Hancock
Special Covid-19 Mission Guidelines:
Updated 8 March 2022
Based on the most current COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines: Protect Yourself and Your Family from COVID-19, and CDC Guidelines of 3 March 2022, going forward, the Lead Ride Captain for any mission will be responsible for determining whether PGR members will have to mask up or not. Please ensure that you have a mask with you, should the need arise, and respect the LRC’s decision in these matters.
Special Information:
101st Airborne Veteran "Dixie" Hancock will proudly lead this Mission for his fellow 101st ABN Veteran. PGR will provide a respectful flag line for arrival of the family, friends and community for the Celebration of Life. A ceremony will take place from 2:00-3:00 PM, including PGRNY honors, after which this Mission will end.
Please be prepared with a clean 3x5 American, US Army or US Navy flag, and dress for the weather. Thank you for taking time to help honor the extraordinary military and fire-fighting service of WW-II Veteran William H. Smith, and to support his very proud and loving family.
Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?
no
Submitted by:
Don Higgins, SRC, Region-1
rb 10/31; MER
