Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Audio Recording Rothacker Childs Smith Collection

Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 366th Infantry Regiment
- Location of Service: Italy; European Theater
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/44158
A conscientious objector, Rothacker Smith served in the 366th Infantry Regiment as a medic. The 366th shipped out to Italy but was assigned to guard duties, making Smith’s life as a medic a fairly easy job. When they were attached to the 92nd Division in December 1944, he was called upon to use his training in combat. On December 26, he was wounded by friendly artillery fire that he later found out was called in by Medal of Honor recipient John Fox on his own position in Sommocolonia to stop an enemy advance. Smith was subsequently captured by the Germans and held until the end of the war. He attended the White House ceremony when Fox’s widow received his medal from President Clinton.
Rothacker Childs Smith Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayHis unit, the 366th Infantry Regiment, was a political football: trained for infantry but not supposed to be ready for combat; was a conscientious objector and a medic; the 366th going to Italy to guard supplies and bases, so there was no combat and little need for his services. 00:00:48.0 - 00:02:15.2
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PlayAttached to the 92nd, going on the front line; told by a general that he hadn't asked for them and didn't want them; ammunition was rationed; on Dec. 26, wounded by shrapnel; had to treat another soldier in worse shape; heard the German took no black prisoners, so he was sure he was going to die; more shelling; only later learned that the shelling was called in by a comrade, John Fox, on his own position, to slow the Germans; Fox received the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously and Smith was at the ceremony; was taken prisoner by the Germans for several months. 00:03:10.2 - 00:09:48.8
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PlayHow he was wounded; after he was captured, being held in Sommocolonia; mortar shell injuring him and when he was being treated by a German medic, house next door hit by a 500-pound bomb; marched by Germans away from town; numb from the waist down and barely able to walk, counting off his progress in increments, knowing that if he stopped, he would be shot. 00:24:32.4 - 00:36:32.5
About this Item
Title
- Rothacker Childs Smith Collection
Names
- Dixon, Minneola
- Smith, Rothacker Childs
- Morna Battle
State of Birth
- NY
Home State
- AL
Headings
- - Smith, Rothacker Childs
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
- - Prisoner of War -- United States
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Black or African American
Status
- Veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 366th Infantry Regiment
- Location of Service: Italy; European Theater
- Dates of Service: 1943-1945
- Prisoner of War: Yes
- Entrance into Service: Drafted
- Military Status: Veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran served as a medic with an all Black infantry regiment. In 07/1944, the regiment was attached to the 92nd Infantry Division, and engaged in combat for the first time.
Materials
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 03/24/2006)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 03/24/2006)
- Photograph: Copy photographic print [2 items] -- Portrait (collected 1945 - 1948)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/44158
Cite as
- Rothacker Childs Smith Collection (AFC/2001/001/44158), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- image
- online text