December 15, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2020
WWII Silver Star Medal awarded to Staff Sergeant Paul Edgar Smith for actions during the Battle of San Pietro. Smith was born on 10/27/1917 in Winder, GA, and was working as a farm hand in Huntsville, Texas, when he joined the Texas National Guard. He mobilized from the Texas National Guard on November 25, 1940 as part of the 36th Division. Smith was assigned to Co. F, 2nd Bn, 143rd U.S. Infantry, 36th Division. The division took part in the Louisiana and Carolina maneuvers of 1941 and 1942, trained at Camp Blanding and Camp Edwards, and went overseas in April 1943, landing in North Africa and taking part in amphibious training. The 36th landed in Italy at Salerno and fought in the Italian campaign, fighting at Mt. Lungo, San Pietro, and taking heavy casualties at the Rapido (Gari) River. After that, the 36th landed at Anzio and helped lead the breakout to Rome, capturing Velletri in June. It was sent to southern France in August and was attacking the Siegfried Line when the war ended. Smith was recognized for his actions during the Battle of San Pietro, after which he was awarded the Silver Star. The Battle of San Pietro was fought from December 8 to December 17, 1943, in an effort to pierce the German “Winter Line.” A newspaper account published in the Fort Worth Gazette, mentioning Smith, recounts three days of fierce fighting along Hill 1205, a mile from San Pietro, with Americans attacking German positions repeatedly from a 300-yard stretch of stone wall: “At the end of three days the Germans were driven out of their dugouts by American bayonets and handgrenades.” The article mentions ten Silver Stars being awarded in one regiment and lists Smith among four Texans cited. The battle is very well known and was the subject of John Huston’s documentary: “The Battle of San Pietro.” After the war, Smith returned to Texas and married. He passed away on July 14, 1967 at the young age of 49. He is interred in the Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville. The medal is a split wrap brooch that was manufactured by The Bailey, Banks, & Biddle Co. and is contained in its original manufacture box and dated "8-29-32". CONDITION: The box exhibits blemishes such as tears and creases that are typical from being handled and opened. The Silver Sar is in excellent condition and does not display any major imperfections. The front of the medal is still bright and the reverse is engraved "Paul E Smith". The engraving is crisp and unmolested. The medal is numbered "11315" which matches the number on the box. The set is complete with the ribbon bar and lapel device. All clasps are functioning. This is an excellent example of a named WWII Silver Star and would be a wonderful addition to a 36th Infantry Division collection. JD
Item Dimensions: Length: 4 - 1/2"