Smith, Jimmy Dale
Army Private 1st class

Jimmy Dale Smith, age 21, from Fresno County California.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 30, 1950
Death details: On July 26, 1950, the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, were defending a section of the Poun-Hwanggan Highway from North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) elements advancing toward Kumch’on. On July 30-31, supported by tanks, the NKPA launched heavy attacks against the American battalions. After a hard-fought delaying action, the 7th Cavalry Regiment received orders to withdraw to support other units at Kumch’on, and the 8th Cavalry Regiment provided cover as they withdrew. Soon after, the 8th Cavalry Regiment withdrew to new positions as well. Though the action was largely successful in delaying the NKPA advance, the area still fell under North Korean control and prevented the recovery of any American remains until U.S. forces retook the area in mid-September. Private First Class Jimmy Dale Smith entered the U.S. Army from California and served in the Medical Company of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was attached to H Company of the 2nd Battalion during the action along the Poun-Hwanggan Highway, and was killed in action during the fighting on July 30. Specific details regarding his loss are unknown, and his remains were not located when American forces retook the area. Today, Private First Class Smith is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency