Alan M. Smith enlisted in the Marine Corps after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He listed his home state as Pennsylvania and attended boot camp at Parris Island. Smith's MOS was the M1917 Browning heavy machine gun, and he was assigned to a team of six other gunners in Dog Company, 24th Marines.
Smith fought on the island of Namur, and a few months later he and his team were transferred to Able Company of the same regiment.
The squad, under Corporal Anthony Pramberger, survived the landing and the first day of combat without a hitch. However, on the night of June 16, 1944, they were placed in an exposed position guarding the battered lines. Exactly what happened to them is unknown, but the squad of seven were wiped out to a man. Other members of the company tried to go to their aid, but were driven back by heavy artillery fire, suffering several more casualties, and couldn't reach the crew.
Six of the gunners survived, but suffered debilitating wounds and would never return to the company. Alan Milton Smith was killed outright.
He was buried in the Fourth Marine Division cemetery, then later reinterred in the Punchbowl.
Smith fought on the island of Namur, and a few months later he and his team were transferred to Able Company of the same regiment.
The squad, under Corporal Anthony Pramberger, survived the landing and the first day of combat without a hitch. However, on the night of June 16, 1944, they were placed in an exposed position guarding the battered lines. Exactly what happened to them is unknown, but the squad of seven were wiped out to a man. Other members of the company tried to go to their aid, but were driven back by heavy artillery fire, suffering several more casualties, and couldn't reach the crew.
Six of the gunners survived, but suffered debilitating wounds and would never return to the company. Alan Milton Smith was killed outright.
He was buried in the Fourth Marine Division cemetery, then later reinterred in the Punchbowl.
Alan M. Smith enlisted in the Marine Corps after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He listed his home state as Pennsylvania and attended boot camp at Parris Island. Smith's MOS was the M1917 Browning heavy machine gun, and he was assigned to a team of six other gunners in Dog Company, 24th Marines.
Smith fought on the island of Namur, and a few months later he and his team were transferred to Able Company of the same regiment.
The squad, under Corporal Anthony Pramberger, survived the landing and the first day of combat without a hitch. However, on the night of June 16, 1944, they were placed in an exposed position guarding the battered lines. Exactly what happened to them is unknown, but the squad of seven were wiped out to a man. Other members of the company tried to go to their aid, but were driven back by heavy artillery fire, suffering several more casualties, and couldn't reach the crew.
Six of the gunners survived, but suffered debilitating wounds and would never return to the company. Alan Milton Smith was killed outright.
He was buried in the Fourth Marine Division cemetery, then later reinterred in the Punchbowl.
Smith fought on the island of Namur, and a few months later he and his team were transferred to Able Company of the same regiment.
The squad, under Corporal Anthony Pramberger, survived the landing and the first day of combat without a hitch. However, on the night of June 16, 1944, they were placed in an exposed position guarding the battered lines. Exactly what happened to them is unknown, but the squad of seven were wiped out to a man. Other members of the company tried to go to their aid, but were driven back by heavy artillery fire, suffering several more casualties, and couldn't reach the crew.
Six of the gunners survived, but suffered debilitating wounds and would never return to the company. Alan Milton Smith was killed outright.
He was buried in the Fourth Marine Division cemetery, then later reinterred in the Punchbowl.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Pennsylvania.
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