Bill "Hoosier" Smith was a Private First Class in H Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment (H/2/1) along with Robert Leckie, Lew "Chuckler" Juergens and Wilbur "Runner" Conley.
History[]
Hoosier was born William Joseph Smith on January 14, 1922 in Loogootee, Indiana to Harley and Helen Smith. Little else is known about his early history, but it is known that he enlisted in the Marines and was assigned to the 1st Marine Division and met Robert Leckie after the latter was assigned to his regiment. Hoosier and Leckie did not get along at first due to Hoosier's often gruff attitude, but they eventually became friends, along with Lew "Chuckler" Juergens and Wilbur "Runner" Conley.
Guadalcanal[]
Hoosier on Guadalcanal
Hoosier, Leckie, Chuckler, and Runner later appeared on a navy ship destined for Guadalcanal. They talked for a while before they went topside.
Battle of the Tenaru[]
After landing on Guadalcanal, they met little to no resistance, and the four friends decided to enjoy themselves for some time. During the battle, Hoosier served in the capacity of ammo Bearer along with Runner. After the battle, Hoosier is seen placing cigarettes in his nostrils to help alleviate the stench of the dead bodies. He also gives Sidney Phillips a grenade as an 18th birthday present and sang a half-mocking/half-joking version of the Happy Birthday song.
Melbourne[]
Hoosier is most notably seen with a blanket from the Navy Transport up to the Cricket Stadium. He is later seen watching the Medal of Honor ceremony and while on a cross-country march, helps remove a blister from Leckie's foot.
Cape Gloucester[]
After Leckie witnesses Pfc. Gibson choking a Japanese soldier to death, he inquires about him that night, to which Hoosier just replies nonchalantly, "he's alright" before sitting down to smoke next to Pfc. Loudmouth. Hoosier is seen with Leckie in a large tent when he discovers a pistol in Leckie's belongings and asks how much does he wants for it. Leckie says, "I don't even want you touching it." Hoosier becomes more visibly irritated at Leckie as he ruins his relaxation with thoughts of "fragging" Lt. Larkin.
Pavuvu[]
Hoosier asks Leckie if his father ever sent him his dress blues, because he might want to get spiffed up: The Corps is holding a lottery and the prize is a ticket home. None of their group wins the lottery.
Peleliu[]
Prior to Peleliu, according to Leckie's memoirs, Hoosier manned the machine gun of one of the LVTs heading for Peleliu. Shortly after landing on Peleliu, Hoosier was hit by a mortar and was soon evacuated via stretcher. Shortly after, Leckie and Runner lament that they couldn't get a hold of Hoosier's status.
He doesn't make another appearance in the series afterwards, but in Leckie's memoirs it is mentioned that Hoosier reunited with Leckie and Runner some time during their stint in the hospital.
Home[]
Hoosier survived his wounds in Peleliu and soon returned home after reuniting with his friends in California. He married Lela Jones. Bill and Lela had four children and were married until his death. Smith died on September 22, 1985 at Jasper Memorial Hospital (now Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center) in Jasper, Indiana after a four-day sickbed.
Personality and Traits[]
Hoosier was typically the more irritable and hot-headed member of his group.
Trivia[]
- Hoosier is the only Marine depicted in the series who places cigarettes in his nostrils in order to decrease the smell of dead bodies and rotten coconuts.
- He was the first of Leckie's friends to be evacuated from Peleliu.
- Hoosier's wife, Lela, was the sister of Joe Jones, who was at Iwo Jima when the famous flag photo was taken. He was within four feet of the others in the famous photo but was not visible in it.
- In Leckie's memoir, Hoosier is the one who said: "Somebody shoot me..." for being in despair on Cape Gloucester, while in the series it was actually Leckie who said it.
- Hoosier was one of only three on Leckie's storyline to meet Eugene Sledge, the others being Leckie himself and Chuckler.
Gallery[]
