Hamilton Allen Smith – Colonel, United States Army

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H. A. Smith Hall, No. 229 Doniphan Avenue, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, named in honor of Colonel Hamilton A. Smith, United States Army, class of 1912, Army Staff College. Killed in action July 22, 1918 in France.

On July 22, 1918, on the very eve of the relief, and after he had personally conducted the Scotch reconnoitering party over his area, Colonel Hamilton A. Smith was killed by a machine gun bullet while directing an attack on machine gun emplacements near the sugar-mill in front of NOYANT, France. Colonel Smith spent the greater part of those last two days in the front line with his men, and by his courage and happy spirits worked wonders among them. His death brought gloom and a grim determination to avenge all.

SMITH, HAMILTON ALLEN

Colonel, U.S. Army
26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 19 – 22, 1918
General Orders No. No. 132, W.D., 1918

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Hamilton A. Smith, Colonel, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Soissons, France, July 19 – 22, 1918.

Colonel smith spent the greater part of his time in the front lines to encourage and direct his command, without sign of fear for his personal safety, and by his courageous leadership inspired his officers and men to effective combat.

He was killed while directing an attack on a machine gun emplacement.

Hamilton Allen Smith of Florida

Appointed from Georgia, Cadet, United States Military Academy, 15 June 1889 (48)
Second Lieutenant, 3rd United States Infantry, 12 June 1893
First Lieutenant, 26 April 1898
Captain  2 February 1901

Born: 18 January 1871
Died: 22 July 1918 at Berzy Le Sec Soissions, France
Commander, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (The BigRed One)
Buried in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery

His wife, Josephine Hale Smith, 27 September 1872-12 November 1937, is buried with the Colonel in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery.

SMITH, HAMILTON A

  • COL 26TH INF 1ST DIVN
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
  • DATE OF DEATH: 07/22/1918
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
  • BURIED AT: SECTION SE  SITE 1657-A
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

SMITH, JOSEPHINE HALE W/O HAMILTON A

  • DATE OF DEATH: 11/12/1937
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 11/17/1937
  • BURIED AT: SECTION SOUTH  SITE 1657-A
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • WIFE OF HA SMITH – COL 28TH INF USA

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Colonel Hamilton A. Smith and Lieutenant Colonel Clark R. Elliot who fell at Soissons, France

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