It Happened: Decorated Marine never forgot Bucyrus

Graduation speeches often include challenges, such as “Reach for the stars.” Norman H. Smith, a 1951 graduate of Bucyrus High School took the word “star” literally, earning three of them from the Marine Corps before retiring in August 1991. His retirement ceremony took place on the hallowed parade deck of the Marine barracks in Washington, D.C., and had a decidedly Bucyrus flavor to it.

Not only did Ty Bowers lend his musical talents to the Drum and Bugle Corps during the ceremony, but Smith was thrilled to see old Bucyrus friends Frank and Maggie Fischer in the audience.

During his 36 years in the Marine Corps, Smith commanded at almost every level, from platoon to an expeditionary force consisting of 26,000 Marines and sailors in the western Pacific. For two years on Okinawa, he led forces training on the island of Iwo Jima, site of the historic battle and iconic flag raising on Mount Suribachi.

While on the island he walked the battlefield where Bucyrus native Marine 1st Lt. Harry Martin died while fighting off the last desperate attack by Japanese defenders. Martin was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic leadership and valor. “It was an honor for me to provide a vial of black sand from the landing beaches of Iwo Jima to be encased in Lieutenant Martin’s memorial in Oakwood Cemetery,” Smith said.

Smith served all over the globe, including Puerto Rico, Italy, Norway, Japan and two combat tours in Vietnam. He was an adviser to a Vietnamese army infantry battalion early in the Vietnam war. He was warned that his six-foot four-inch frame would make him a prime target of the enemy. There were close calls, including being twice shot down in helicopters, but as he says, “They didn't get me” in 1965 nor in 1971 when he served as the battalion executive officer of the 3d Battalion, 1st Marines. One of his most memorable missions in later years was as a brigadier general commanding a U.S. Marine brigade with British Royal Marines and Royal Marines from the Netherlands attached — 16,000 men total. This reinforced brigade conducted the largest amphibious operation ever held 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle in Norway, during the Cold War. The operation served as a deterrent to any plans by the Soviet Union to attack NATO.

Smith also served as Fleet Marine Officer of the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. He operated in just about every country on the Mediterranean littoral. As part of his duties he briefed King Juan Carlos of Spain on the details of an amphibious landing, loaned his shipboard room to Prince Albert of Monaco when Albert was a Midshipman at the French Naval Academy and briefed the prime minister of Turkey on the use of assault helicopters. Smith was fascinated to learn that the Prime Minister had been Attaturk’s chief of staff in World War I during the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign. Smith also served with the present King Harald of Norway, who is also a major general in the Norwegian army. Last but not least he was chewed out by Ambassador Mike Mansfield, then U.S. Ambassador to Japan, for a training incident on Okinawa. Some fun, everyone should try that.

“In 2009 my wife Susan and I attended the 58th reunion of my Bucyrus High School class of 1951. Randy Fischer gave us a tour of the old high school then being remodeled. Among the many teachers and coaches whose guidance and support helped generations of Bucyrus students, only one remained — dear Miss Martha Kostenbader, my second grade teacher. We visited her in 2009 and on subsequent visits to Bucyrus before her death.”

November 2010, the T-F “Special Edition” featured the dedication of “Liberty Remembers Mural” by artist Eric Grohe. Smith commented about that historic occasion here in Bucyrus: “It is an honor to stand among Crawford County veterans on the magnificent Miss Liberty mural, which I had the privilege to help dedicate.”

Giving back to Bucyrus — he, along with Frank Fischer, contributed the stories for 2013 “It Happened in Crawford County” about the hangouts they remembered from high school.

Among many awards and decorations, Smith has received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars with “V” for valor, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun along with numerous campaign ribbons and foreign awards. The official USMC website has his complete history and the Crawford County Genealogy Book “Liberty Remembers” includes his story.

Readers if you are interested in genealogy or sharing a story email or write Crawford County Genealogy Society, 931 Marion Road, Bucyrus, OH 44820 Mary Fox email Littlefoxfactory@columbus.rr.com.