Memorials › Johnny Givis Smith

Johnny Givis Smith

9 Jul 1926 – 14 Feb 1945

Birth9 Jul 1926
Death14 Feb 1945
CemeteryCrestwood Memorial Cemetery
East Gadsden , Etowah County , Alabama , USA
Added bysteve s on 24 Nov 2019
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204988666

Bio

Johnny G. Smith Service #: 605 98 44 Entered Service From: Alabama Rank: Seaman Second Class, U.S. Navy Unit: United States Navy Reserve Date of Death: 14 February 1945, killed in action when his ship, the destroyer U.S.S. FLETCHER (DD 445), was hit in Mariveles Bay, Bataan by a six-inch shell from a Japanese gun fired from the northwest end of Corregidor. Buried: Crestwood Memorial Cemetery, East Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama Awards: Purple Heart ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1930 United States Federal Census (10 April 1930): Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama (sheet 12B, family 256, 324 Washington Street) – Johnny G. Smith (3 Alabama). 1940 United States Federal Census (16 May 1940): Kansas Township, Etowah County, Alabama (sheet 4A, household 56) – John Smith (14 Alabama). His family had lived in rural, Etowah County, Alabama in 1935. Johnny G. Smith enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 16 November 1943 (S/N 605 98 44) in Birmingham, Alabama. Apprentice Seaman (AS) Smith was sent to the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois. U.S. Navy Muster Roll: 17 November 1943 to 22 January 1944 Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois. Apprentice Seaman (AS) / Seaman 2nd Class (S2c) Johnny Givis Smith (S/N 605 98 44). He was promoted to Seaman 2nd Class (S2c) on 08 January 1944. S2c Smith was transferred to Navy Receiving Station, San Francisco, California on 22 January 1944 (S2c) Johnny G. Smith (S/N 605 98 44) was a passenger aboard the U.S.S. MIZAR (AF-12). he was received aboard the MIZAR on 04 September 1944. He was transferred from the MIZAR on 09 September 1944 to Receiving Station, Navy 3115 (Hollandia, New Guinea). The MIZAR was a Navy stores ship. It was used to deliver supplies such as provisions and fuel to combat ships on extended deployments. U.S. Navy Muster Roll: 09 September 1944 to 14 February 1945 U.S.S. FLETCHER (DD 445) Seaman 2nd Class Johnny Givis Smith (S/N 605 98 44). S2c Roach was received aboard the destroyer U.S.S. FLETCHER (DD 445) on 09 September 1944 from Rec. Bar., *USN #167 for duty. *USN #167 was the Naval Base at Gamadodo, Milne Bay, New Guinea. The FLETCHER arrived at Manus Naval Base, Manus Island, part of the Admiralty Islands on 9 October 1944 from Humboldt Bay, New Guinea to prepare for the invasion of Leyte, for which she sortied 12 October screening transports. She covered them while they sent their boats ashore in the initial landings 20 October, and next day departed for New Guinea. She returned to Leyte with transports carrying reinforcements 23 November, and through the next month, continued her support of the first phase of the liberation of the Philippines Islands, escorting convoys and firing prelanding bombardments at Ormoc Bay, Leyte and Mindoro. January - February 1945 – On 04 January 1945, FLETCHER sortied from San Pedro Bay, Leyte to provide close cover for the Luzon Attack Force as it sailed toward its objective. She splashed at least one of the many Japanese aircraft which attacked on 08 January, and during the landings in Lingayen Gulf the next day, patrolled the Gulf. After supporting the landings on San Antonio Beach, Luzon, on 29 January, she entered Subic Bay to cover minesweeping, then on 31 January provided fire support to the landings in Nasugbu Bay. FLETCHER began four days of operations in the occupation of Bataan and Corregidor on 13 February, firing a preliminary bombardment, giving fire support on call, and covering minesweepers opening Manila Bay. Source: Wikipedia 14 February 1945 – U.S.S. FLETCHER (DD 445) 0523 Underway from anchorage in Subic Bay, Luzon Island, P.I., in accordance with ComCruDiv Op-Order 1-45, in company with TG 77.3 to proceed to vicinity of Corregidor - Mariveles Harbor area. 0804 Arrived off Manila Bay entrance and split into designated fire support units. 0829 Commenced scheduled exercises. FLETCHER in TU 77.3.2 with DENVER, CLEVELAND, ABBOT and JENKINS, began patrolling on southwest side of Corregidor. 0953 Proceeding to fire support position in company with U.S.S. DENVER, southwest of Caballo Island. 1035 Commenced firing at flashes from shore battery on Caballo Island bearing 075°(T), range 11200 yards. 1050 Ceased firing, target reported destroyed. 1140 Proceeding independently at various courses and speeds to assigned bombardment station off Los Cochinos Point, Bataan Peninsula. 1227 Commenced firing at Cochinos Point area targets, bearing 025°(T), range 3000 yards. 1235 Shifted targets to Gorda Point bearing 030°(T), range 4000 yards. Spotter plane reported we made a direct hit on a camouflaged tank causing it to burn. 1240 Ceased firing as arrival of U.S.S. HOPEWELL in area blanked our fire. Maneuvered at various courses and speeds as directed by CDD 42 to assist HOPEWELL in the destruction of obstructions at entrance to Mariveles Harbor in the form of buoys with chains attached which had to be removed before harbor could be swept. 1255 Lying to at harbor entrance - commenced firing at buoys west of center of bay, destroying all but one small one which defied destruction due to its size. 1319 Commenced firing at oil storage tank in Gorda Point area bearing 021°(T), range 2400 yards. 1322 On orders from CDS 21 prepared to lower boat to go close aboard offending buoy and sink it with rifle fire. 1325 Sighted near misses falling close to ship (bursts were seen 75 yards off port side). 1326 Ship hit by gunfire from battery on northwestern end of Corregidor Island. "we received a hit at frame 25 starboard side main deck 3 feet inboard by a six inch shell, shrapnel perforated gun #1, CPO quarters, gun #1 handling room and magazine and sides of hull above the waterline in several places, flooded both forward magazines when fire broke out in gun #1 magazine, fresh water lines forward severed in many places, Gun #1 out of commission, Gun #2, no hydraulic drive. Sonar gear and fathometer temporarily out of commission. The detonation of the shell caused the death of three men in gun #1 ( Seaman 2nd Class Robert Jay Gafton , S eaman 2nd Class Johnny Givis Smith , Machinist's Mate Second Class, George Harold Winnie ), and the wounding of eight others (four died later from their injuries). We immediately opened fire on shore batteries on Corregidor which continued to fire, made direct hit on one." 1328 Commenced firing at same shore battery bearing 120°(T), range 7500 yards. 1331 Ceased firing, direct hits reported. 1334 Stood to seaward of Mariveles Harbor. 1340 Steadied on approach course for counter-battery. 1345 Reopened fire on target bearing 095°(T), range 6000 yards. 1354 Sighted second shore battery in same and shifted fire to it. 1358 Shifted to target to lower of second shore batteries. 1406 Sighted premature bursts and bursts in water close aboard to starboard. 1408 YMS-48 was sweeping for mines east of us (in North Channel 1100 yards off the beach, Alasin Point Bataan) and was hit by shore batteries and set afire and was stopped dead in the water. 1412 HOPEWELL stood out of North Passage and received several hits while proceeding to assist YMS-48. 1415 Stood in toward YMS 48 in North Channel 1100 yards off the beach, Alasin Point, Bataan, which was dead in the water and afire from shell hits, to pick up survivors in accordance with orders from CTG 77.3. 1420 Smoker planes laid smoke screen over batteries to cover rescue work and remainder of survivors. 1425 Lying to - commenced taking aboard survivors of YMS. 1433 YMS damaged beyond salvage - sunk by automatic weapons. Due to about twelve knot wind from the east, smoke entirely disappeared. 1440 Stood out of North Passage, sighted two shore installations on Corregidor bearing 1330° (T), range 3800 yards and took them under fire (with guns #3, 4 and 5) and silenced them. 1450 Ceased firing - completed rescue of survivors proceeding to stand out of North Channel. 1500 Patrolling in fire support area, 5 miles west of Corregidor. 1540 A boat was sent from U.S.S. PHOENIX with medical supplies and a medical officer. 1552 Set course and speed to proceed to Subic Bay in company with U.S.S. HOPEWELL (CDS 21 - OTC). 1600 ROACH, C. E., #974 04 72, S2c, USNR died of wounds received in action. 1734 Anchored in berth #179 Subic Bay, Luzon Islands, P.I. 1845 Survivors from YMS-48 left ship. 1900 WILHELM F. S. #337 30 01, GM11c, USN died of wounds received in action. 1915 Transferred casualties to LST-777. 15 February 1945 – U.S.S. FLETCHER (DD 445) 1030 BIGELOW, E. C., #725 0227, WT2c, USNR died as a result of lung injuries due to smoke inhalation while fighting a magazine fire when we were hit on February 14, 1945. Source: World War II - War Diaries - USS Fletcher (DD-445) - 14 February 1945, page 4 and USS Fletcher Action Report - Manila Bay Operations, 13 February through 17 February 1945, pages 3-5. S1c Homer Lutral Cooper (S/N 864-35-25) USN died from multiple injuries eight days later. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At 1326 on 14 February 1945, the U.S.S. FLETCHER (DD 445) was hit by an Japanese shell from battery on northwestern end of Corregidor Island and was set afire. The deadly projectile exploded into fragments which penetrated the No. 1 gun magazine and set fire to several powder cases. It killed three (3) crewmen and another four (4) died from wounds. Three (3) others were wounded but recovered. S2c Johnny Givis Smith (S/N 605-98-44) USNR died from multiple injuries caused by shrapnel from the six -inch shell. Killed in Action: Seaman 2nd Class Robert Jay Grafton (S/N 858 36 47). Wounds multiple, abdomen. Seaman 2nd Class Johnny Givis Smith (S/N 605 98 44). Wounds multiple, Cranium severed in two. Machinist's Mate 2nd Class George Harold Winnie (S/N 386 06 93). Wounds multiple. Died from wounds received in action: Water Tender 2nd Class Elmer Charles Bigelow (S/N 725 02 27). Medal of Honor recipient for his actions that day. Seaman 1st Class Homer Lutral Cooper (S/N 864 35 25). Wounds multiple, abdomen. Seaman 2nd Class Clarence Earl Roach (S/N 974 04 71). Wounds multiple. Gunner's Mate 1st Class Frank Steven Wilhelm (S/N 337 30 01). Wounds multiple, Bilateral amputation of legs. Wounded: Seaman 1st Class Louis Frank Bertani (S/N 872 79 53). Wounds multiple, lacerations on back of neck. Prognosis: Favorable. Fire Controlman 3rd Class Bernard Charles Robier (S/N 826 76 72). Wounds multiple, forehead, lacerations. Prognosis: Favorable. Storekeeper 3rd Class Keith "E" Snyder (S/N 800 21 89). Wounds multiple, compound fracture, left radius and ulna. Prognosis: Fair His body was transferred to U.S.S. LST 777 and brought to the Army Burial Service, Subic Bay, Luzon, P. I. Posthumous Award Given Johnny Smith Johnny Givis Smith, Seaman Second Class, U.S.N.R., has been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, according to information received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Thomas Smith, 534 Grant Street. A letter from the executive officer of the ship on which Seaman Smith served stated that he was killed instantly February 14, 1945, when fragments of a Japanese shell pierced the deck near his gun turret wiping out almost entirely the gun crew. The ship had been bombarding enemy positions in the Manila Bay area. Seaman Smith, who was buried on Bataan Peninsula near Subic Bay, was a veteran of raids on the Solomons, Marshalls, Biak in New Guinea, Leyte, Sulu Sea and Mindoro. Source: Gadsden Times (Gadsden, Alabama), Friday, 31 August 1945. After the war his remains were brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948. From there, according to the wishes of his next of kin, Seaman Second Class Johnny Givis Smith remains were brought back to the United States and he was buried in his final resting place in Crestwood Memorial Cemetery, East Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama.

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