Thomas E. Smolich
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Unit Info: Naval Reserve
Thomas E. Smolich was inducted into the Naval Reserve on February 27, 1943. Home at entry: Aurora, Minnesota.
He served as a Sonarman Third Class aboard the mine sweeper USS Defense (AM 317) in the Pacific Theater.
Mr. Smolich shared the following: "We escorted convoys between Frisco and Pearl Harbor and then between Pearl Harbor and the Marshall Islands, a number of times.
"The USS Defense then took part in sweeping mines off the beaches at Iwo Jima (three days before the invasion), with our fleet bombarding the island over the group of minesweepers.
"We drew some fire from the island but the enemy didn't want to give away their positions. The mine force then regrouped to make preparations for the invasion of Okinawa.
"We were sweeping mines seven days before the invasion, but didn't draw any fire from the island."
Quoted from Associated Press dispatch of April 9, 1945: "The skipper of a little U.S. minesweeper reported by radio to the flagship during heavy Japanese air attacks on the Okinawa amphibious forces: 'We have been hit twice in attacks by two aircraft but we splashed the third, six men wounded in action.' But the minesweeper wasn't calling for help. The skipper next reported: 'We now are taking a damaged destroyer in tow'.
"The ship and crew received congratulations from the commander in chief, Pacific, on their return to Pearl Harbor "...for their remarkable achievement in combat. Welcome to Pearl. CONCPAC." (Adm. Chester W. Nimitz).
He received the following: Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
He was honorably discharged on March 2, 1946, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 300.
