Project 888
Name: George Robert SMITH
Rank / Rating: S1-Seaman First ClassService #: 351 07 66 DOB: Aug 16, 1925 From: Tulsa, Oklahoma Parents: Went Aboard: Oct. 28, 1942 Age When Ship Went Down: 19 years, 11 months, 14 days Spouse: Roberta Smith Children: Marcella Martin Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: Admin |
 SMITH, George R |
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Seaman First Class Smith, born August 16, 1925, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He entered the Navy on August 18, 1942 (two days after his 17th birthday) and went aboard Indianapolis Oct. 28, 1942, after training at San Diego.
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| He served aboard the ship until it was sunk by the enemy on July 30, 1945. He was not a survivor. George was aboard Indianapolis for nine of the 10 battles for which Indianapolis received Ten Battle Stars. He participated in the following bombardments and actions: Chicago off Harbor and Holtz Bay, Attu Aleutian Islands, AL on February 18, 1943; Night engagement with a Japanese Armed Merchantman, during which engagement that vessel was sunk by ships’ main and secondary battery fire, off the island of Attu on February 19, 1943; Japanese shore installation on Kiska, Aleutian Island, AL on August 2 and 12, 1943; Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Island from Nov. 20 to Dec. 6 1943; Occupation of Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Island from Jan. 29 to February 6, 1944 and again February 23 to 27, 1944; Raid and air strikes on Palau Islands and Yap Island, Caroline Islands on May 30 to 31, 1944 and on Woleai Island, Caroline Island on April 1, 1944; Occupation of Saipan, Guam and Tinian Islands, Marianas Islands June 11 to August 10, 1944; Engagement between the Fifth Fleet and the Japanese Fleet off Saipan in which over 350 Japanese aircraft and several Japanese ships including carriers and destroyers were destroyed by the Americans; Occupation of Palau Island from September 12 to 29, 1944; Air strike on Tokyo on February 16, 17 and 25, 1945; Assault and bombardment of Iwo Jima, February 1945 and on the Ryukyu Island operations March 18, 1945. Okinawa Gunto Operation March 18 to April 7, 1945. Medals received were: Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with one silver star and four bronze stars). He was survived by his wife Roberta and one daughter, Marcella Martin, who were residing in Amarillo, TX. | |
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