Liberty unites

Tributes Near
,


Michael J. Smith
0 Miles Away
Christopher W. Lotter
4.83 Miles Away
James F. Fordyce
4.86 Miles Away
Michael R. Horrocks
5.34 Miles Away
Joseph M Kane
6.97 Miles Away
Robert John Fangman
8.97 Miles Away
George Eric Smith
11.51 Miles Away
Louis R. Fastuca
11.52 Miles Away
Ryan K. Iannelli
12.16 Miles Away
Carl W Johnson II
12.29 Miles Away

Related Services in
Philadelphia PA




liberty unites us
 Previous Michael J. Smith     Next 
  Michael J. Smith
Army Spc. Michael J. Smith

24, of Media, Pa.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea; killed Jan. 11 when his military vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in Ramadi, Iraq.






Soldier killed in Iraq remembered for patriotism

Associated Press

COATESVILLE, Pa. — The father of a suburban Philadelphia native killed in Iraq said his son was a true believer in the infantry work he was doing.

Spc. Michael J. Smith, 24, died Tuesday when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his military vehicle in Ramadi.

“He thought it was important that we be there and help these people,” said his father, James H. Smith, 63, of Coatesville. “He was all about helping and doing what he could to help liberate these people, politics aside.”

Smith, who was raised in Springfield, Delaware County, dropped out of high school and sang in a heavy metal band before enlisting in the Army. His father said he did so to serve his country and improve his life. The two had been close since Michael Smith’s mother died of cancer in 1995.

He had married a Russian woman, Oksana, whom he had met while stationed in Korea, his father said.

Michael Smith last visited home in September; his father said he showed no fear of returning to Iraq.

“He was there to do his job, which he loved. He often said that ‘I’m doing what I’m trained to do,”’ James Smith said Thursday, after the military released his son’s name.

Michael Smith was a member of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division. The unit’s headquarters are being transferred from South Korea to Fort Carson, Colo., and the troops are expected to arrive at the Colorado post this summer after their current tour in Iraq.

In addition to his wife and father, he is survived by a half-brother, Jim, who is serving full time in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
1360 Views


.:: Light A Candle & Post Your Condolences ::.

Your Name: You Are Anonymous [ Register ]
Tribute Is Dedicated To: Michael J. Smith
Your Condolences:

Spam Control! Please re-Type security-code below:
940451



Condolences :







MEMBER OFFLINE _USERINFO send private message to
Prayers & Condolences For:
Michael J. Smith
BY acidburnny on Jun 24, 2005
  My condolences to Oksana and family. May Michael rest in peace
 


Main » Soldiers » US Army

Tribute Manager
Welcome, Anonymous

Register * Lost Pass

Nickname

Password




Live Stats
There are currently, 331 guest(s) and 0 member(s) that are online.

50791669
Since September 11, 2001


 For Frank E. Adamski III   For Benjamin Walker   For Trevor B. Adkins   For Adam D. Jones   For Laurie Cobb   For Larry E Polley Jr   For Paul C. Holter III   For Alex D Gonzalez   For Christopher D Young   For Jose E Ulloa   For John Michael Roy Curwin   For Derek L. Shanfield   For Marisol Heredia   For John Charles Jenkins   For Todd Beamer   For Steven Paul Chucknick   For Geoffrey Perez   For Linda Jones   For Kristopher J. Gould   For Kristopher J. Gould  
follow us on Facebook