George W. Smith, U.S. Marine Corps.

George W. Smith
Wife: Mabel Smith
Members of the Presidents' class (Dr. Alan Streett, teacher)
Member of First Baptist Church, Dallas since 1964

Served as a Corporal in the 5th Marine Division
Served in WWII from April 10, 1942- April 9, 1946

Memorable Stories

A thousand may fall at your side…
When George joined the Marines at the age of 19, making $21.00 per month, he never dreamed that he would be a part of one of the most famous battles in the history of World War II. He decided to join the parachute troops because it would pay him $50.00 a month in extra pay. Isn't it amazing what you will do at the age of 19 for $50.00? George became a part of the newly formed 5th Marine division that would launch the assault on a little island called Iwo Jima on Feb. 15, 1944. On Feb. 20,1944, Company A of the 5th Marine Division made it to the crest of the now famous, Mt. Suribachi, and hoisted the flag that we all recognize from the famous statue that commemorates the unselfish bravery of the young men on that island. Although George was not in the company that raised the flag, he remembers climbing the mountain as the only radioman on the summit and saw Old Glory waving proudly. However, the victory was not complete as they learned that the Japanese had dug tunnels all over the island and one of the fiercest battles of the war ensued.
The victory was finally won after 37 days of non-stop fighting, with no place to sleep but a foxhole, no facilities, limited water, and no hope but the hope only God can bring at a time like that.

Ever wonder if God can protect you from harm? Just ask George Smith. George lost his best friend in the battle at Iwo Jima as they sat in a jeep just inches away from each other. 5,931 young marines were killed on that island - 3,000 of which were from George's division and 17,272 Marines were wounded.
This brings real meaning to the words of David:
“A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.” Ps. 91:7

Unless the Lord builds the house…
George and Mabel had met in Sunday School in Heights Baptist Church in Houston, TX. When the war started, these two 19-year olds made the only logical decision that could be made - they would get married before George shipped out! So, in October of 1942, Mabel rode the train from Houston, TX to San Diego, CA and George and Mabel were married by a Justice of the Peace just one week before he shipped out for the first time. No time or money for a fancy wedding - it was George, Mabel, the Justice, the witness, and God at the wedding. As they left the building, they heard the Justice of the Peace say to the witness, "That'll never last!"

But he forgot who was at the wedding - God, the one who thought of marriage in the first place. After 62 years of marriage and some unusually tough times, George and Mabel are still married -this was no ordinary wartime romance.
"Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it"…

"May the Lord watch between you and me"…
No cell phones, no global positioning systems, no Internet - just letters from home, and spotty newscasts on radios. For Mabel and her mother, Carrie King, the war meant years of waiting and praying. In all, they had 5 boys overseas or 5 stars in the window, which was how families showed how many family members were serving in the war. Mabel and Carrie had George, his brother who was 17 when he joined, and 3 of Mabel's brothers -one of whom was 16 and had lied about his age to get into the Navy. But, amazingly, the lack of technology was no problem for God. George and his brother Howell managed to see each other 2 times in different parts of Japan during the war. George and Mabel stayed connected through precious letters and a little help from the Red Cross that informed George that he was a father for the first time in 1945. And Carrie and her sons stayed in touch though the mail as her sons sent part of their salaries home to her. How blessed we are to know that when we cannot be with the ones we love, God is still with them.
"May the Lord watch between you and me …” I Sam. 20:22