b. 1856 Ireland. d. ?
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 01/10/1878 off Para, Brazil.
Born in 1856 in Ireland, Smith emigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from Virginia. By October 1, 1878, he was serving as a seaman on the USS Enterprise. On that day, while Enterprise was off the coast of Pará, Brazil, he rescued Coxswain William Kent from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was presented with the Medal on board USS Enterprise by Commander Thomas Selfridge on October 29, 1878. Little else is known of his life.
MOH CITATION:
For rescuing from drowning William Kent, coxswain of the U.S.S. Enterprise, off Para, Brazil, 1 October 1878.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.