Guy Nephi Smith (1920 - 1945)

Born 10 Oct 1920 in Henrieville, Garfield, Utah, United States

Died 30 Jul 1945 at age 24 in Philippine Sea

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Biography

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Guy Smith served in the United States Navy in World War II
Service started: 18 Aug1942
Unit(s): USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
Service ended: 30 Jul 1945

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Guy Smith was Killed in Action during World War II.

Guy Smith was awarded the Purple Heart.

Guy was born in 1920. His parents were Robert Earl Smith and Caroline E. Goulding.

Guy enlisted in the naval reserve on 18 Aug 1942, after training, he was stationed on the USS Indianapolis on 28 Oct 1942, where he served as Fire Controlman 2nd Class. The Utah memorial page mentions what happened to Guy on that fateful day, “Guy was one of approximately 300 crew members that went down with the U.S.S. Indianapolis”.^[1][2]

In July 1945 the USS Indianapolis was sent on a secret mission to deliver the components of the Little Boy atomic bomb to Tinian Island without an escort, on the return trip, still without escort, it was attacked by a Japanese submarine. The USS Indianapolis sank in 12 minutes on 30 Jul 1945 with some 300 of the 1,195 crewmen aboard going down with the ship. With few lifeboats and many without life jackets, only 316 of the nearly 900 men set adrift survived the 4 days in shark infested water before rescue. Guy was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. The crew of the USS Indianapolis was later awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. ^[3][4][5]

Guy is honored at two memorials: USS Indianapolis National Memorial, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana and Henrieville Cemetery, Henrieville, Garfield County, Utah.^[6][7]

Research Note

See Robert Earl Smith for note on connecting to tree.

Sources

1. ↑ U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/32069446:1143?ssrc=pt&tid=74306209&pid=352136453792
2. ↑ U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/30442585:1143?ssrc=pt&tid=74306209&pid=352136453792
3. ↑ Utah, U.S., Military Records, 1861-1970 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/208544:2228?ssrc=pt&tid=74306209&pid=352136453792
4. ↑ U.S., World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/137502:1122?ssrc=pt&tid=74306209&pid=352136453792
5. ↑ U.S., Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Unaccounted-for Remains, Group B (Unrecoverable), 1941-1975 https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000XmlmEAC
6. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194064111/guy-nephi-smith: accessed 05 September 2023), memorial page for Guy Nephi Smith (10 Oct 1920–30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 194064111, citing U.S.S. Indianapolis National Memorial, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA; Maintained by Laura J. Stewart (contributor 47412616).
7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36442096/guy-nephi-smith: accessed 06 September 2023), memorial page for FC2 Guy Nephi Smith (10 Nov 1920–30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 36442096, citing Henrieville Cemetery, Henrieville, Garfield County, Utah, USA; Maintained by Burt (contributor 46867609).

• Guy is included on the USS Indianapolis in World War II Wikitree Space Page https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:USS_Indianapolis_%28CA-35%29_in_World_War_II