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A family tradition

Smith proud of relatives who served

-File photo
Sgt. Michael Smith rests on a military vehicle in Iraq in March of 2011. He was there with the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, an Army Reserve unit based at Fort Des Moines.

When it comes to Victor Smith, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, there’s one word that comes to his grandson James Smith’s mind — “strong.”

“He was strong,” Smith said. “He would walk from Otho to USG through the woods to work. Back then they had to. He was always walking. Always had a bottle of whiskey next to his chair. Grandpas did that. And he had this voice, you didn’t want to mess with him.”

Several of Smith’s relatives followed grandpa’s suit and served in the U.S. military. And it’s that service, grit and dedication that makes the Fort Dodge man so proud of his family members who have served.

Here is a breakdown of members from Smith’s family who served.

• Staff Sgt. Victor Louis Smith, U.S. Army

-Messenger file photo
Badger firefighter Mike Smith carries a dog away from a burning barn in May of 2007. The dog tried to run back into the structure at 2072 160th St. After Smith carried it away from the blaze, the animal was fine.

Word War II Phillippines

Served from August 1942 to December 1945

Medals: Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star, Phillipine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star

• Spec. 4 Michael L. Smith, U.S. Army

Military police dog handler.

-Messenger file photo
Badger firefighter Mike Smith tends to a dog suffering from smoke inhalation and burns during a fire in May 2007.

Served from October 1958 to February 1962

Guarded Nike missile site

• Cpl. Michael L. Smith, U.S. Marine Corps

Served from 1987 to 1991

Desert Shield

Desert Storm

Staff Sgt., Army Reserve

Served from 2006 to 2013

2010-2011 Iraq

Staff Sgt. Smith served in Iraq with the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, an Army Reserve unit based at Fort Des Moines.

He worked 12 hour days at an American base, monitoring defense systems and patrolling Joint Base Balad. He also drove an armorred vehicle called an MRAP to escort officers and civilian contractors throughout the country.

He ran missions about two times a month to take VIPs to different places throughout Iraq.

Earlier in his military career, Smith was a member of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, which is based in Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The unit left the tropical Hawaiian island in mid-winter to join other allied forces in the Saudi desert. There he drove a truck in an infantry unit. He was there during the Battle of Khafiji for three or four weeks. He mostly followed tanks.

Smith said he didn’t see many horrors of war.

“I saw some places where Iraqis had left their guns and equipment when they surrendered. And I also helped with some prisoners. But we mostly followed tanks,” he said.

The unit returned to Hawaii in late March. Smith was officially discharged shortly thereafter.

Smith has also been a volunteer firefighter in Badger.

• Chief Warrant Officer 4 Clinton Michael Louis Smith, U.S. Army

2002 to present

Iraqi Freedom

March 2002-September 2002

April 2004 to October 2004

April 2013 to February 2014

September 2015 to December 2015

• Delbert Mac Smith, U.S. Navy

Served in the early 1970s

Served many years as Otho firefighter and police officer

• Spec. Trey M. Messerly, U.S. Army (nephew of Jim Smith)

Explosive ordnance disposal, Afghanistan

Served from July 2009 to November 2013

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