Corporal William Silas Smith

Corporal William Silas Smith, age 20, was reported missing in action in the summer of 1950.  He was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting against members of the Korean People’s Army.  After an enemy assault on his unit’s position along the Nakdong River, near Yongsan, South Korea; without evidence of continued survival, the Department of the Army declared him dead as of December 31, 1953. 

The remains could not be identified and was buried at UNMC Miryang in South Korea.  After identification attempts failed, the remains were transferred to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii, and were interred as Unknown. 

On October 30, 2017, following historical and scientific analysis, the Unknown was disinterred from and sent to the laboratory for analysis to identify the remains.  Scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial and material evidence for identification.

Corporal Smith’s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery along with others who are missing from the Korean War.  A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.  All of his immediate family are now deceased.

Corporal Smith is survived by nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces and cousins.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.

A graveside funeral service will be held Saturday, August 17th at 11:00 a.m. in the Pinecrest Cemetery with military honors.

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