Private Albert Joseph Smith was a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 11, 1921 in Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1920 - 1940 period. Smith was 22 years old.
The medal was presented on October 17, 1921. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant.
Smith was born on July 31, 1898 in Calumet, Houghton County, Michigan. His Medal of Honor is credited to Michigan. Smith died on March 27, 1973 in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of 74. He is buried at Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan. His medal is held by Michigan Heroes Museum, Frankenmuth, MI.
Official Medal of Honor 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, U.S. 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
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, U.S. 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.
- Age at death: 74
- Resting place: Grand Lawn Cemetery
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Michigan →
Timeline
- July 31, 1898Born in Calumet, Houghton County, Michigan
- February 11, 1921Act of valor — Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FloridaAge 22.
- October 17, 1921Medal of Honor presented
- March 27, 1973Died in Detroit, MichiganAge 74.
- Resting placeGrand Lawn CemeteryDetroit, Michigan
Biography
Albert Joseph Smith (July 31, 1898–March 27, 1973) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in 1921 when he rescued a United States Navy sailor from a burning seaplane. Smith joined the Marine Corps from Detroit in October 1919, and was honorably discharged 3 years later. He is buried in Grand Lawn Cemetery Detroit, Michigan.
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