Fernando J. Smith

Fernando J. Smith was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1928 and moved to New York City’s Harlem at age seven, and later to Brooklyn, then eventually settling in New Jersey. He and his three brothers attended Long Branch High School, where he graduated in 1945, and then worked as a cook in a seafood restaurant. Smith was drafted into the military in 1951 at age 23, with little to no knowledge of what to expect.

Smith completed basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The state had a much different environment than New Jersey for African Americans, with segregation still in effect. As an African American, Smith recalled that he experienced blatant racism for the first time in Kentucky. When he visited Nashville, Tennessee, Smith was forced to ride in the back of the bus, as well as stay in the “colored” section of town. Despite the culture shock, he credited his time in basic training for preparing him physically and getting him in shape for the many hills he would have to climb in Korea. After taking a train ride from Kentucky to San Francisco, Smith boarded a ship to South Korea.

The first thing Smith remembered about arriving in Pusan, Korea was “a smell you never forgot.” He said the local farmers used human fecal waste as fertilizer, and it was springtime when he arrived. Smith adapted to the odor quickly. He was unable to acquire much information about the progress of the war he found himself in. Smith served in an all-African American unit, which was later integrated with white soldiers. He said that the race of his fellow soldiers was of no importance to him, as regardless of race, they all worked together to keep each other alive. His unit spent days traveling by truck, doing a lot of walking, and ending up on the front lines near Seoul. Smith’s job was as a forward observer, who would call in mortar or artillery fire on enemy positions to enable the infantry to advance or successfully defend a position.

Smith recalled that the weather in Korea was extreme: brutally hot in the summer and freezing in winter. Soldiers slept in tents with sleeping bags, and little else. He remembered always moving, learning how to bathe with water in his helmet, and going long stretches of time without showering. When not in combat, soldiers played cards to keep busy, and talked about President Harry Truman, who Smith admired for integrating the military.

Many memories stood out from Smith’s time in Korea. He remembered trying to keep as safe as possible, as well as learning how to live with constant fear and get used to it. Smith recalled not really knowing the ethnic differences between the North and South Koreans and Chinese, so it was sometimes hard to tell who they were fighting. On one occasion, a soldier he knew shot himself in the foot, so he could get sent home, and also be awarded a Purple Heart Medal.

Smith’s most powerful memory of the war was being told never to walk along the top of a hill. He always remembered this, so instead walked along the sides, though it didn’t seem to matter as nothing ever happened. One day several men in his group broke the rule, and immediately drew machine gun fire, as they were silhouetted against the sky atop the hill. They dropped to the ground but had to keep from moving and becoming targets again. All night long, Smith heard the moans and groans of the injured and dying.

After spending 21 months in Korea, Smith was one of the first soldiers in his unit to return to the United States. He left before the war ended, and noted that there wasn’t much of a welcome awaiting returning soldiers, since people didn’t see it as a major war. Upon his return, Smith was asked if he wanted to stay in the service, but declined. He received a Combat Infantryman’s Badge and a Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star for his contributions.

Smith spent five years in the inactive Reserves, and used his GI Bill benefits to obtain a college education and buy a home. He graduated from Monmouth University with a degree in Business Administration. Smith readjusted well to civilian life. He said he regretted that the GI Bill was discontinued, apparently unaware that it had been modernized and reconstituted for current veterans. After graduating from college, Smith worked as an insurance salesman, a budget analyst with the federal government, and part-time at the Asbury Park Press.

Smith became an active member of American Legion Post 266 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2639. Unlike some veterans, he felt comfortable sharing his war-time experiences. Smith stated that the virtues he learned from his time in the military were respect, honor and loyalty, lessons that he used throughout his life. He strongly believed that peace should be a goal, and that we will never accomplish anything through wars. 

Fernando Joachim Smith passed away on October 15, 2020 at the age of 92.