Ova Smith

Ova Smith (Dec. 11, 1924 – June 23, 1944) was a soldier from Capuchin who was killed in action in France during World War II.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born Dec. 11, 1924, Ova Smith was the son of Truman Smith (1904-1964) and Anna J. Smith (1907-1974) of the Capuchin community east of Winfield. His siblings included Opel, Offie, Hazel, Junior, Ruth, Ruby, Irene and Lorene.

When he registered for the draft, Ova listed his residence as Newcomb in Scott County.

World War II

Pvt. Smith enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 18, 1943 at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. He was assigned to Co. K, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, and fought in the European theater of World War II. He was killed near Hill 192 in France on June 23, 1944. The 23rd Infantry that day was engaged in fierce fighting in the area of St. George d’Elle in Normandy. The regiment was the initial invasion force that had landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and had been steadily advancing since that time, facing difficult resistance from German paratroopers in the hedgerow terrain.

Aftermath

Pvt. Smith’s body was returned to Scott County for burial at the Blankenship Cemetery on Capuchin Creek.

He received the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. He is listed on the VFW Post 5669 Memorial Wall in Oneida, the Scott County Veterans Memorial in Huntsville, and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial in Knoxville.