By Staff
World War II veteran Dr. John F. Smith, grand marshal of Dowagiac's Memorial Day parade Monday, saw action as an infantry officer in Europe.
He arrived in France after the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion at Normandy and remained in Europe for about a year after completion of the war.
He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. For a time his unit was trapped between U.S. and German lines.
About 90 percent of his unit was killed. Dr. Smith was wounded, earning him a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
While attending college, majoring in engineering, he joined the Army Reserve.
During his senior year, about two weeks after Normandy, his unit was activated.
He received his commission as an officer while overseas and was a first lieutenant when he left military service.
He returned to college and changed his career from engineering to dentistry.
Dr. Smith started his practice in Saginaw, but relocated to Dowagiac for most of his 48-year career before hanging up his drill in 2001.
Dr. Smith was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 9, 1923.