Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith
SFC. Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith, Medal of Honor recipient
Born	(1935-07-27)July 27, 1935 Wahiawā, Hawaii
Died	February 16, 1967(1967-02-16) (aged 31) Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam
Place of burial	National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1953–1967
Rank	Sergeant First Class (posthumous)
Unit	1st Platoon, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Vietnam War  †
Awards	Medal of Honor Purple Heart

Sergeant First Class Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith was a brave United States Army soldier. He was born on July 27, 1935, and sadly passed away on February 16, 1967. He was recognized with the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery a soldier can receive. He earned this award for his amazing courage during the Vietnam War. Even though he was badly hurt, Smith inspired his fellow soldiers to fight back against a strong enemy attack.

Early Life and Joining the Army

Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith was born in Wahiawā, a town on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. He went to school there and graduated from Leilehua High School. In 1953, he decided to join the United States Army.

During his time in the Army, he traveled to different countries, including Okinawa. While in Okinawa, he met a woman named Jane, who was also in the Army. They got married and started their family in Tacoma, Washington. They had two daughters together.

Serving in the Vietnam War

On July 23, 1966, Sergeant Smith was sent to the Republic of Vietnam. He became a Platoon Sergeant, leading a group of soldiers in the 4th Infantry Division. His unit operated in the western Central Highlands, near the border between Cambodia and Vietnam. This area saw a lot of intense fighting against the North Vietnamese Army (NVA).

A Day of Heroism: February 16, 1967

On February 16, 1967, Sergeant Smith was leading his platoon on a scouting mission. Suddenly, they were attacked by NVA forces. The enemy used powerful weapons like machineguns, mortars, and rockets.

Even though Sergeant Smith was wounded, he quickly took charge. He told his men where to go and made sure they had enough ammunition to fight back. He was hit by a rocket, but he kept moving around to direct his soldiers' fire at the approaching enemy. He showed incredible bravery, putting himself in danger to protect his platoon. Sadly, he died from his wounds, but his actions helped his unit defeat the enemy.

Receiving the Medal of Honor

Because of his extraordinary bravery, Sergeant Smith was recommended for the Medal of Honor. In October 1968, his family received the medal. The United States Secretary of the Army, Stanley R. Resor, presented it to them at the White House. President Lyndon B. Johnson was ill at the time, but he still wanted to meet the family. After the ceremony, Sergeant Smith's widow, Jane, and their two daughters, Kathleen (10) and Pamela (6), were taken to meet President Johnson in his bedroom.

Remembering a Hero

Sergeant First Class Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith was buried with full military honors. His resting place is the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. His name is also carved into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Panel 15E – Row 051. This memorial helps us remember all the brave soldiers who served in the Vietnam War.

Awards and Recognitions

Sergeant Smith received many awards and medals for his service and bravery. Here are some of them:

Foreign unit decorations

•   Fourragère cord

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
• Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients