The Memoirs of a True Hero

ME001_fc

The First Man on Omaha Red

D-Day H-Hour –2:00: The War Memoirs of Capt. William C. Smith Jr.

by William C. Smith Jr.

with William E. Smith and Dr. Philip M. Trinity

 

Merriam Press Military Memoir ME1

First Edition (2014)

Paperback (ISBN 978-1496106001) – #ME1-P – $16.95

200 6×9-inch pages

61 photos and documents

3 maps

 

The history of D-Day on Omaha Red is not complete without this book. Capt. William C. Smith Jr. was the first man on Omaha Red two hours before the invasion. For his service, he received a Bronze Star with V for valor. He has also been inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor.

 

His story explains how the invasion was different from those of North Africa and Sicily. It also describes in detail how he and the other nine men trained for this most difficult and dangerous job—calling fire from the Navy ships against the German defenses on that fateful day that changed history forever.

 

But this work also brings the relationships between soldiers to life with humor and a depth of emotion seldom described in other works. It is so powerful because it is told in first person by the man that lived through the four and a half years of World War II. It was written from more than 100 hours of interviews by the authors.

 

The work begins from the 1st Division’s invasion of North Africa and continues through the breach of the German border. It includes the struggles of the wives and families that were left behind waiting for their loved ones to return from Europe.

 

Unlike so many histories, this work also details the unique bond between soldiers that forms from mutual dependence. Captain Smith’s relationship with his driver and close friend Sampson gives the work the humanity missing from other memoirs.

 

This was a story that had to be told, and now it has so that we may better understand the sacrifices these men made in the name of liberty.

 

Capt. William C. Smith Jr. was the first American on Omaha Red beach 2 hours BEFORE the D-Day invasion. Not only was he a true hero, he was also my father. His memoirs are now available at for $16.95.

 

Thanks for your support.

 

 

 

 

That is what I think. Tell us what you think.

 

NOTE: Check out the live News, Notes and Rumors show on Monday, Thursday and Friday at 6 PM Eastern on or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. On Monday Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discuss the results of the weekend. Thursday shows alternate between NFL Draft and basketball. On Friday Tony Williams Giants beat writer for Metro New York joins Samantha and me to preview the upcoming games. The archive is available on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

 

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits https://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/ and the live show Mondays at 6 PM Eastern time on .

He also edits .

To keep up with the News, Notes & Rumors podcasts, follow me on twitter @NNRonDSN.

No votes yet.
Please wait...