Veterans salute – Vernon Smith

Vern Smith attended William Chrisman School in Independence. Vern and his two brothers grew up during Depression years and knew they wanted to see more of the world than just Independence.  

One brother joined the Navy in 1939 leading the others to follow in his footsteps. When Vern went to enlist in 1942 he was told the Navy was not recruiting at that time so he went into the Maritime Service. While in boot camp he would watch battered ships come into port along the New York coastline and tried once more to join the Navy and become a “fighter” for his country.  A well-written letter to the right person granted him his wish. Vern became a Tin Can sailor on the support ship USS Young and was sent along with 360 shipmates, six destroyers and three cruisers to shell the Japanese coastline. 

From there he went to the South Pacific and supported troops in Guam, Luzon, Leyte, the Aleutian Islands, the Battle of  Midway, the Bataan Death March,  and the Battle of the Philippines. While near Corregidor his ship was attacked by kamikazes and two Japanese 17-foot suicide boats, but the USS Young survived each attack. When approaching Corregidor the word was given that there were 1,500 Japanese fighters, while in reality there were thousands awaiting U.S. troops. U.S. ships fired shells from sea for several days. Vern witnessed many battles and much death and says it changed his life completely.  

The one trip Vern relishes is when he crossed the equator and went from being a polliwog to becoming a shell back. After leaving the military, Vern went back to school, married, raised three sons, and retired from Soutwestern Bell after 30 years, in 1979.

Vern served in the Navy from December 1942 to November 1945. He was married for 58 years and has lived in Independence his entire life.

Vern’s military history can be viewed at the Independence Parks and Recreation Truman Memorial Building at 416 W. Maple.

– This is part of a weekly feature on local veterans submitted

by Helen Matson, volunteer program director for the city of Independence.

You can contact her at 816-325-7860.