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Smith, George Birdsall
George Birdsall Smith, retired soldier, and banker, was born in Warrensburg, Missouri, August 19, 1873, son of
Joseph Wilson and Mary Jane (Lobban) Smith. Joseph Wilson Smith, a farmer and stockman, was born in St. Catherine,
Ontario, Canada, February 12, 1846, and died at Bennington, Kansas, in March, 1920. Mary Jane Lobban was born in
Charlottesville, Virginia, about 1853, and died at Warrensburg, Missouri, July 29, 1879.
George Birdsall Smith was graduated from public school at Bennington in 1890, and from May 18, 1898, until August
14, 1899, served as a private in Company G, 23rd United States Infantry, in the Spanish American War and Philippine
Insurrection, under Colonel Ovenshine.
From February 9, 1901, until July 15, 1902, he was in the recruiting service in the United States Army, serving
as a private, corporal, and sergeant in Kansas City, Missouri, and outlying districts. From July 15, 1902, until
June 21, 1921, he was a private, second class, private, corporal, sergeant, first class sergeant, and master signal
electrician with the Signal Corps of the United States Army.
Commissioned a captain in the Signal Officers Reserve Corps in June, 1917, he was promoted to major, Signal Officers
Reserve Corps, in January, 1918, holding that rank until the end of the World War.
Between July, 1902, and October, 1906, Major Smith served two tours of duty in the Philippines in the Signal
Corps on military telegraph and telephone lines. He served two tours duty in Alaska in the Signal Corps in construction
and operation of a radio station at Nome, Alaska, from June, 1908, until July, 1910, and from June, 1912, until
August, 1916. Between November, 1916, and June, 1917, he served in the Signal Corps on the Mexican border at Laredo,
Texas, engaged in the construction and operation of a radio station.
During the World War, Mr. Smith commanded Company C, 8th Field Signal Battalion, at Monterey, California, with
the rank of captain; served as captain, Company B, 401st Telegraph Battalion, Camp Devens, Massachusetts; held
the rank of major, 319th Field Signal Battalion, Camp Sherman, Ohio, and in the field in France; held the rank
of major, 32nd Field Signal Battalion, in France five days only; the rank of major signal officer, Army Artillery,
Second Army of the American Expeditionary Forces; major, 312th Field Signal Battalion in France, and returning
to the United States, and to Camp Dix, New Jersey; and received his honorable discharge at Camp Dix in August,
1919. Immediately re-enlisting there in the Signal Corps and was retired as master sergeant, June 21, 1921.
Major Smith has to his credit a total service of 21 years and 7 months, of which 12 years and a half were served
outside the United States. He possesses the following medals: Spanish American War; Philippine War; Philippines
Congressional; Mexican Border Service; Victory Medal (World War) with battle clasps, Aisne Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne,
and Defensive Sector.
On May 2, 1908, Major Smith was married to Della Nelson at Bennington. She was born at Eureka, August 29, 1876.
Major Smith is a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Residence: Bennington |
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