Furman L. Smith

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private Furman L. Smith, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 31 May 1944, while serving with Company L, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action at Lanuvio, Italy. In its attack on a strong point, an infantry company was held up by intense enemy fire. The group to which Private 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 Private 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.