Ralph C. Smith
| Ralph Corbett Smith | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
November 27, 1893 South Omaha, Nebraska, United States |
| Died | January 21, 1998 (aged 104) Palo Alto, California, United States |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1916–1948 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Unit |
 Infantry Branch
|
| Commands held | 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment 27th Infantry Division 98th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Silver Star with Oak-Leaf Cluster Purple Heart |
Pancho Villa Expedition
World War I
Major General Ralph Corbett Smith (November 27, 1893 – January 21, 1998) was a senior officer of the United States Army. After receiving early training as a pilot from Orville Wright he served Brigadier General John J. Pershing's army against Pancho Villa, became decorated for bravery in World War I and commanded the 27th Infantry Division in combat in the Pacific War in World War II. At his death Smith was the oldest surviving general officer of the Army.
Born in Nebraska, Smith attended Colorado State College and served in the Colorado National Guard. He was an early aviator and was given flying lessons, as a young officer, by Orville Wright, and his pilot's license, signed by Wright, bore the number 13 because he was the 13th person to receive one.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Infantry Branch of the United States Army in 1916 and was involved in the Army's unsuccessful Mexican Punitive Expedition, whose Commanding General (CG) was Brigadier General John Pershing, against Pancho Villa, just before the American entry into World War I in early April 1917.
...
Wikipedia