Remember...
Billy Jake Smith
1938-1970
"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
G.K. Chesterton
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Remember...Billy Jake Smith
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Billy Jake Smith was born on February 5, 1938, in Gassaway, Braxton County, West Virginia. His family consisted of his parents Glen W. Smith and Opal Stonestreet Smith. Billy also had three siblings: Franklin D. Smith, Roger L. Smith, and Carl E. Smith. Billy graduated from Gassaway High School in 1958. He did not pursue any further education due to his Army enlistment right out of high school. In 1960, Billy married his wife Joan Elizabeth Armstrong in Clay County. The pair had three children: Elizabeth, Jeffery, and Patrick.
While Billy was growing up in Gassaway, a peculiar event took place in one town over. In Flatwoods, on September 12, 1952, a bright light streaked across the sky and crashed into a hillside. A group of boys spotted this and decided to investigate. To their surprise, they found a pulsing red light, where a ten-foot-tall creature with a spade-shaped head, clawed hands, and orange glowing eyes levitated toward the boys. The group fled in horror. This being would later become known as "The Flatwoods Monster." ("The Flatwoods Monster," Braxton County [WV] website, accessed 7 February, 2023, https://braxtonwv.org/the-flatwoods-monster/.)
When Billy was just one year old, World War II broke out in Europe. America began to transition out of the Great Depression as more jobs were needed in the factories to produce supplies that would be sent overseas. After the war ended in 1945, America grew worried that communism would spread throughout the nation. This fear became known as "The Red Scare." The Red Scare influenced many future political decisions. For example, President Truman defended the United States' involvement in the Korean War saying that a domino effect would be prevented. The United States did not want South Korea to fall because the next country to succumb to communism would be Japan, which was valuable for trade. This is also why America entered the Vietnam War. ("Why Did the U.S. Get Involved in the Korean War?" BBC Bitesize GCSE website, accessed 7 February 2023, https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zqqd6yc/revision/2.)
| Billy enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1958. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves on June 21, 1966. That same year, he started his first tour of Vietnam in December; the tour lasted until September 2, 1967. During his time there, he was a platoon leader and executive officer with the 9th Infantry Division. The 9th Division was nicknamed "The Old Reliables" due to the fact that they were the first organized division since World War II to be equipped and trained for deployment to an overseas combat theater. The 9th Division was also the first American infantry unit to establish a permanent camp in the Viet Cong-infested Mekong Delta. Smith was promoted to first lieutenant on June 21, 1967, and just a year later he was promoted to captain. On May 17, 1969, he started his second tour in Vietnam. He served as deputy district senior advisor of Long Thanh District. On February 12, 1970, he was killed when his Jeep hit a land mine late in the day. His body was recovered by Allen W. Peterson. His remains were returned to the U.S., where he was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 46, Site 690-11. ("Troops of the 9th Infantry Division: The Old Reliables," Mobile Riverine Force Division website, accessed 7 February 2023, https://www.mrfa.org/us-army/9th-infantry-division-index/troops-of-the-9th-infantry%20division/; "Smith, Billy Jake," The Coffelt Database of Vietnam Casualties, accessed 7 February 2023, http://www.coffeltdatabase.org/detreq2.php.) |  |
Capt. Billy J. Smith was eligible for numerous awards and decorations for his service and sacrifice: the Bronze Star with "V" Device, two Purple Hearts, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Good Conduct Medal, the Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Infantry Badge. Capt. Smith will always be remembered as his name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located in Washington, D.C., on Panel 13W, Line 4, as well as on the West Virginia Veterans Memorial located in Charleston, West Virginia.
| On January 26, 2022, the West Virginia Legislature introduced House Concurrent Resolution No. 28, wherein they requested the Division of Highways to rename the Upper Gassaway Bridge in Braxton County. They requested the bridge be named the "U.S. Army Captain Billy Jake Smith Memorial Bridge." It is only fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Captain Smith's contributions to our state and for his ultimate sacrifice to his country. | ||||||
Article prepared by Elena Launi, George Washington High School JROTC
February 2023
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.
