Name: Carl Murphy SMITH
Rank / Rating: SM2-Signalman Second Class
Service #: 630 27 05
DOB: Dec 05, 1927
From: Blytheville, AR
Parents: Jesse and Virgie Smith
Went Aboard: Oct 28, 1942
Age When Ship Went Down: 17 years, 7 months, 25 days
Spouse: Lila Smith
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Carole Raley and Brenda J. Hale
Date Posted:

Note: Per Carl Smith's "Delayed" birth certificate (displayed above), he was born in England (Lonoke County) Arkansas on December 5, 1927. He was placed on active duty 5 months before his 15th birthday! Carl Murphy Smith, known as “Buddy” to family and friends, was the youngest son born into a farming family of nine children. His father, Jessie James Smith, and his mother, Virgie Murphree Smith, along with his grandparents and four older siblings, were all born in Reid, Mississippi. Later the family moved to Arkansas and continued farming. At one point, his dad operated a moonshine still, which was more profitable than farming, for raising a large family. After a few years, the family returned to vegetable farming and lived in several towns in Arkansas.

One of Buddy’s older brothers, Byron Smith, falsified Buddy’s enlistment papers so Buddy could join the Navy. Only 5 months before his 15th birthday, Buddy was placed on active duty July 20, 1942. The U.S. had only been in WWII for 8 months. On August 6, Buddy was assigned to USS Indianapolis, his one and only ship duty. Buddy was very close to his sister, Lucille Smith Perciful, whose mother lived in Blytheville, Arkansas. Buddy wrote about 22 letters to Lucille while on the Indy. Lucille was thirteen years older than Buddy, had married, and had two sons about the same age as Buddy. In one of his letters home to Lucille, Buddy spoke of his business plans with his older brother, Albert. The two brothers had corresponded about buying a small business, Chitwood’s Pool Hall, which was a reputable and profitable business at that time. Buddy sent money home to Lucille for when he thought he would return home in the spring of 1945. In one of the last letters Buddy wrote and Lucille saved, December 1944, he wrote where he had met his older brother, Rex, for Thanksgiving dinner. Rex had returned home, after having been in service since 1936, also at the age of 14, before Pearl Harbor attack. Buddy wrote in 1944, “I am just fine, having a swell time, too, so don’t worry about me.” Buddy did not make it home. His sister Lucille took news of his missing in action and his death very hard. The two siblings had grown closer during the war through their letters. Prior to Buddy’s death, Lucille had lost a son at the age of 3 in a tragic fire. These tragic losses of both loved ones took their toll on Lucille. She never seemed to recover from her grief. Buddy’s niece - Lucille’s daughter - Katheryn Perciful Melton, kept Buddy’s letters and other official Navy papers. Lucille had a gravestone marker for Buddy placed next to their father and mother in Elmwood Cemetery, Blytheville, Arkansas. Katheryn holds the Purple Heart medal awarded posthumously to Buddy. The family hopes to honor the service of Carl Murphy (Buddy) Smith and the many others who chose to serve their country and gave the greatest sacrifice. Never give up and never forget!