Bruce S. Smith
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Marines
Bruce S. Smith entered the Marine Corps Reserve on July 17, 1942.
He served as a Corporal with the VMJB 131 of the Third Marine Air Wing in the Pacific Theater. He served as a gunner on Grumman TBM Avengers used for bombing and strafing ground targets on Guam and the outer islands, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Ie Shima.
Mr. Smith shared the following: "Seventeen months overseas, and 17 islands. Left for home July 3, 1945, and heard about the A-bombs. I was to report to Cherry Point, North Carolina for regrouping, and return to the Pacific for the invasion of Japan. There is no doubt in my mind that these bombs saved over a million lives - possibly even mine. God bless Truman for his courage to make that decision."
Mr. Smith was honorably discharged in October of 1945.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 299.
