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Brothers chosen for Honor Flight trip
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Hudson Smith and M.G. Smith come from a long line of veterans. Their grandfather fought in the Civil War, and their father in World War I.
Both Smith brothers are veterans of World War II and the Korean War, both serving as squad leaders in different units of the Infantry. On Wednesday, they will fly to Washington, D.C. for a long-awaited opportunity to see the memorials dedicated to their bravery.
Photo by Scott Mims
Honor for service: World War II veterans Hudson Smith (left) and M.G. Smith of the Maplesville area are flying to Washington, D.C. today to see the World War II Memorial.
“I registered for the Army the same day he got married,” M.G. Smith, 84, said, pointing to his older brother.
When M.G. joined the Army on July 17, 1943 at Ft. McClellan, the sergeant asked him for his full name but he refused to comply.
“I told them my mama named me M.G., and I wasn’t going to change it, and he argued with me for a while,” he said.
He went on to explain that until age 4, he didn’t have a name. His mother simply called him “Boy.” But one day, a woman who helped clean the house suggested that his mother name him M.G., and the name stuck.
It didn’t take too long for the sergeant to straighten out the confusion.
“He came back and said, ‘Well, M.G., you’re in the Army now!’” he recalled.
M.G. served as a rifleman and bazooka operator in the 104th Infantry of Company I.
After landing in France, they walked 29 miles to Belgium where they were assigned with the British Army to clear out Belgium and Holland.
“We were the first to land in France after D-Day,” he said.
Hudson Smith, 88, first served in the Air Force but was transferred to the Infantry after D-Day. His unit, the 29th Infantry of Company K, was also assigned to Belgium.
Hudson recalled one night at the Siegfried Line, a defense system stretching along the west border of Germany.
“When I got in there that night, I looked around and those boys that were still there still had their snow suits on. They looked old,” he said. “When they got cleaned up, they were just boys like myself.”
Hudson remembers vividly when his platoon leader was hit in the back with a mortar round.
“It picked me up off the ground,” he said.
Both brothers were called back into service during the Korean War but never had to enter into combat. Both were discharged on the same day.
Today, the family’s legacy of service continues. Two of M.G.’s sons served in Iraq, as did Hudson’s oldest grandson. The Smiths also had a late brother, Alfred, who served in World War II; and a brother, Curtis, who served during the Korean War.
“I’m proud of my family’s service,” M.G. said.
Wednesday, the brothers will share another memory, this time on a one-day trip to Washington through Honor Flight Birmingham. The nonprofit program was set up to allow veterans to see their memorials at no cost to veterans themselves.
“I just appreciate the opportunity to get to go,” Hudson Smith said.
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Comments
Posted by ms_rebel (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 11:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is one of my greatest honors to know and love these two gentlemen. They are true Christian Soldiers, as well as being such a big part of this countries history. I have never known any greater men than these two. I have never known them to ask for anything but will give anybody anything they have. Mr. Hudson and Mr. G, I love you and I want to say thank you.
Posted by fshrman (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 12:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so thankful for great men like these. I never served my county in this capacity, but I know my wonderful freedom is because of those who did. They deserve all the respect and recognition they get.
Posted by carol (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 5:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have known these two men for most of my life and can say they are great examples of what Christians should be. I love them and am so glad for them to receive this honor. Our country is a better place by having them in it. God bless.
Posted by rogerware (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sure there are many more families around Chilton County that share the same story as these gentlemen; it is my solem wish that serving in the military would be on the minds and agendas of other families. My father served in the U.S.Navy (WWII VETERAN); my older brother in the U.S. Army, my younger brother in the U.S. Marine Corps (VIETNAM VETERAN) and I served in the U.S. Air Force (VIETNAM VETERAN) for 23 years. Kudos to others who served, I salute you all every day and especially on the upcoming Veterans Day. GOD BLESS
Posted by dandzinclanton (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am very thankful for men like these two and thankful for the program that will let them see their memorial. I wish my daddy had lived long enough to go to DC and see the memorial that was constructed for him. God Bless you both.
Posted by smith957 (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a WONDERFUL story!!
Posted by rolltideroll (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks to true patriots like the Smith brothers, we are able to have the freedoms that we do have. What a great gift to these two men! Honor flights are a great way to give back to our Veterans!
RogerWare: Thanks for your service to our great country! You are correct in that there are many families in the county that have served or are currently serving.
Thanks to everyone that is a veteran whether active now or in the past!
Posted by SouthernBelle (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This story touched my heart. These men deserve this trip plus so much more for what they've had to sacrifice. I thank every man & woman who has served and fought for my freedom! My grandfathers, uncles, a few of my cousins, and several friends have served or are serving at the moment & I count myself blessed to know these heroes! I hope everyone remembers our Veterans on their upcoming holiday! I know our Flag will be flying!
Posted by wrighto (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It does my heart great joy when I hear these types of stories. I'm proud to wake up and don my uniform everyday. Only 1% of America's population serve in the military. The bonds and friendships that I've made over the last years whether in the states or in foreign places are truly lasting and strong. I salute these gentlemen as well as all of my brothers and sisters that have served before me and that are serving now! GOD BLESS
Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Many thanks to the entire Smith family, and to all veterans as well as those who continue to serve.
I am proud to be an Air Force veteran myself, the product of a long unbroken line of veterans back through the Revolutionary War and into Scotland where Clan Burnet fought beside Robert the Bruce.
The same can be said of my wife's family. Her dad was one of the first members of the original Construction Battalions, which developed into the well known SeaBees.
We have two boys who served in the Army, one still in, two who serve now in the Navy and a girl who was in the Air Force like myself.
We have always been proud to do our part and thank all those who have done likewise.
Posted by Proud2Be (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a great story! Like many other readers, there is a long history of military service in my own heritage. I appreciate ALL of those who have served.
Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We just returned from a trip to DC and we visited the war memorials while we were on the National Mall. They were all incredibly beautiful and moving. I'm sure these gentlemen will enjoy their trip.
My Dad was in the Navy in the UDT, Underwater Demolition Teams, they were the forerunners of the SEALs. Back in the 1950's people called them Frogmen. My husband is a 10 year Navy veteran as well.
Congratulations gentlemen on your trip, and thank you for your service.
Posted by reddcorp (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
God bless these two men. The thanks due their generation has long been overdue. These men and millions of other men and women like them saved us from tyrants who would destroy our way of life and enslave us. They didn't check the political polls to see which way the wind was blowing, they didn't think about what was in it, or not, for themselves. They recognized wrong and a threat to our country and they had the guts and resolve to do what was necessary to right the wrong. These folks had honor. We have thousands of volunteers in our armed forces who have the same honor and devotion to country above self. Unfortunately, they are led by a Commander in Chief and a majority of Congress that has no such honor nor sense of country. Driven by desire for power and personal agenda, these people are intent upon ruining what the Smith brothers and thousands fought and, in many instances, died for. WAKE UP, AMERICANS, before it is too late.
Posted by hfbham (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
On behalf of Honor Flight Birmingham, I would like all readers to know that we were priviledged to have the Smith brothers on our November 4 flight. They arrived in our nations capital to cheers and tears from active troops and strangers who came just for the opportunity to say thank you to these heroes. Later that day, another large crowd gathered at the Birmingham Airport to welcome them home.
I want to remind everyone that we are running out of time to say thank you to these living heroes who are dying at the rate of over 1200 per day. Please help us continue our mission by making a contribution to this worthy endeavor. Visit our web site at www.honorflightbirmingham. com for more information on how you can help.
Pam Nichols
Co-Director
Honor Flight Birmingham
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