Henry Jackson 'Smitty' Smith, 92

Henry Jackson Smitty Smith, 92, died Nov. 5, 2009. He was born in Gastonia, N.C. He was the husband of the late Alma (Waters) Smith, and is survived by his three children, Kelly Bort and her husband, Bob, of Whitefish, Marie Makely and her husband, Bruce, of Voorhees, N.J., and Henry Smith and his wife, Lauren, of West Chester, Pa. In addition he had nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sr. Maureen Rose, IHM. He was preceded in death by three of his grandchildren. In 1940 Smitty enlisted in the U.S. Navy following a brief stint at college. He was a career sailor with 27 years of service, retiring with Chief Warrant Officer rank and partial disability. He received numerous citations, including the Purple Heart. During World War II Smitty served in the South Pacific on battleships and saw action during the Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, Battle of Sabo Island, Pelieu and Tarawa naval engagements. He was proudest of his responsibilities as damage and fire control officer during the many naval battles. He later participated in the Korean War and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Smitty was buried Dec. 2 with full military honors, following funeral Mass at St. Eugene Church in Primrose, Pa.