Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Army

Furman L. Smith

Private Furman L. Smith, Army, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on May 31, 1944 near Lanuvio, Italy during World War II.

World War II May 31, 1944Posthumous

Private Furman L. Smith was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on May 31, 1944 near Lanuvio, Italy during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company L, 135th Infantry, 34th Infantry Division. Smith was 19 years old.

Smith was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded.

Smith was born on May 11, 1925 in Six Mile, Pickins County, South Carolina. His Medal of Honor is credited to Central, Pickins County, South Carolina. He is buried at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Central, South Carolina.

Smith is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 33 credited to South Carolina.

★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. In its attack on a strongpoint, an infantry company was held up by intense enemy fire. The group to which Pvt. Smith belonged was far in the lead when attacked by a force of 80 Germans. The squad leader and one other man were seriously wounded and other members of the group withdrew to the company position, but Pvt. Smith refused to leave his wounded comrades. He placed them in the shelter of shell craters and then alone faced a strong enemy counterattack, temporarily checking it by his accurate rifle fire at close range, killing and wounding many of the foe. Against overwhelming odds, he stood his ground until shot down and killed, rifle in hand.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and death in action

  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (May 31, 1944).
  • Age at death: 19
  • Resting place: Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War II.

Places

  • Born: Six Mile — map
  • Died: Lanuvio — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in South Carolina →

Timeline

  1. May 11, 1925
    Born in Six Mile, Pickins County, South Carolina
  2. May 31, 1944
    Act of valor — near Lanuvio, Italy
    Age 19. Company L, 135th Infantry, 34th Infantry Division Killed in action.
  3. Resting place
    Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery
    Central, South Carolina

Biography

Furman L. Smith (May 11, 1925 – June 1, 1944) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

From the Wikipedia article “Furman L. Smith”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

More World War II recipients from South Carolina

TA Thomas Eugene "gene" Atkins Private First Class · Army World War II · 1945 George Lafayette Mabry Jr. Lieutenant Colonel · Army World War II · 1944 WM William A. McWhorter Private First Class · Army World War II · 1944 ✦ Robert Allen Owens Sergeant · Marine Corps World War II · 1943 ✦
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.