"Our regiment was a political football. We were trained for infantry, we were not supposed to be ready for combat, and they really did not know what to do with us." (Audio Interview, 1:11)

Rothacker Childs Smith

Rothacker Smith at time of service War: World War II, 1939-1946 Branch: Army Unit: 366th Infantry Regiment Service Location: Southern Italy POW: Yes Place of Birth: New York, NY

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.