Albert Joseph Smith

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Albert Joseph Smith
July 31, 1898(1898-07-31) – March 27, 1973 (aged 74)
Image:Replace this image male.svg
Albert Joseph Smith, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth Calumet, Michigan
Place of death Detroit, Michigan
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Rank Sergeant
Awards Medal of Honor

Albert Joseph Smith (July 31, 1898–March 27, 1973) was a United States Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in 1921 when he rescued a United States Navy sailor from a burning seaplane.

He is buried in Grand Lawn Cemetery Detroit, Michigan.[1]

Contents

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Place and date: Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., 11 February 1921. Entered service at: Michigan. Born: 31 July 1898, Calumet, Mich. G.O. No.: 72, 29 September 1921.

Citation:

At about 7:30 a.m. on the morning of 11 February 1921, Pvt. Smith, while on duty as a sentry, rescued Plen M. Phelps, late machinist's mate second class, United States Navy, from a burning seaplane which had fallen near his post, gate No. 1, Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. Despite the explosion of the gravity gasoline tank, with total disregard of personal safety, he pushed himself to a position where he could reach Phelps, who was pinned beneath the burning wreckage, and rescued him from the burning plane, in the performance of which he sustained painful burns about the head, neck and both hands.[2]

[edit] See also

United States Marine Corps Portal

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Albert Joseph Smith at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2007-11-29
  2. ^ Medal of Honor — Pvt Albert J. Smith, 1921 (Medal of Honor citation). Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-02-22. Retrieved on 2007-05-05.

[edit] References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.