DOB/DOD: May 10, 1919 (Darien, CT) – September 27, 1986 (Tampa, FL); 67 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Mildred W. Farrell (1927-1965) on March 21, 1946, in Danbury, Connecticut.Married again to Emily Y. McCreary (1938-) in July 1966 in Hillsborough, Florida.
CHILDREN: Two sons, Private James Pratt Smith, USMC (1947-1968) [killed in action in South Vietnam], and William Edward Smith (1960-present). One stepson, John, and one stepdaughter, Cynthia. One son between him and Emily, Wynn Smith (1967-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 13 Center Avenue, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: September 26, 1940
SERVICE NUMBER: 11019715
UNIT: 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division
FAMILY: Born to Charles W. (1888-1968) and Florence B. “Flossie” Pardee Pratt. Two sisters, Millicent M. Smith (1913-2007) and Ida Smith Allen (1917-2015). One brother, Hanford “Hank” (1918-1981).
CIRCUMSTANCES: Held in German POW camp Stalag 9B Bad Orb Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-09.
Photos provided by granddaughter Holly Smith in 2022.
From The Norwalk Hour September 28, 1940
Hanford R. Smith and Frank P. Smith, both sons of Charles W. and Florence B. Smith of Rowayton Avenue, have enlisted in the U.S. Army and are stationed at Port Hancock, New Jersey, for three years of training.
From The Norwalk Hour March 20, 1945
Private First Class Frank Pratt Smith has been missing in action somewhere in France since January 11, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Smith of 13 Center Avenue. He is a member of the 315th Infantry. Private First Class Smith enlisted in September 1940. He was for a time stationed on a U.S. Army cable ship operating outside Boston Harbor and later served with a Military Police unit in the Quartermaster Corps at Fort Rodman, Massachusetts. He went overseas in October 1944. His brother, Corporal Hanford Weed Smith, is fighting in Germany at the present time.
From The Norwalk Hour April 18, 1945
Private First Class Frank Pratt Smith of 13 Center Avenue, who was taken a prisoner of war in Germany on January 11, has been liberated, according to a letter received from him by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Smith. Private Smith wrote that he was freed on the night of April 2 and that he hoped to be home in about a month.
From The Norwalk Hour May 1, 1945
TOILED IN SALT MINE FOR NAZIS
PFC Smith, Liberated War Prisoner, Didn’t See Daylight for 41 Days; Home
“Things are even worse than you can imagine from the stories that are coming out of Germany,” Private First Class Frank Pratt Smith, liberated prisoner of war who arrived last night for a 60-day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Smith of 13 Center Avenue, said today. “When we were captured on the German border on January 11, we were taken to a coal and salt mine where we were worked until we were exhausted. If you didn’t work, you didn’t get anything to eat – and we had to eat to save our strength even if the food was revolting.” Questioned about time off for recreation, Private First Class Smith said, “Recreation? There’s no such word in Germany. You just work until you drop.” The liberated soldier said that he and his companions worked underground without seeing daylight for 41 days. Their liberation on April 2 was unexpected until practically a few hours before the coming of American troops, for it was only then that the officer in charge informed them of the turn of events. The prisoners, however, had anticipated unusual happenings, for they had been brought up from the mines and had witnessed about seven continuous hours of plane activity, including strafing. When they were told (by their captors) that they would soon be free – the news seemed unbelievable, but it was not long before the prisoners were greeted by their liberators. As soon as U.S. troops could do so, they distributed C rations to the erstwhile prisoners, and they brought them all the food they could obtain in the nearby area. After this “boost,” the liberated men were taken to an emergency airport where they had their first shower and also underwent “delousing.” “And did we need it,” said Private First Class Smith, “imagine going 78 days without a shower. Here, we also received fresh outfits.” Following this treatment, the newly freed men were taken by plane to Le Havre, where they were guests at Camp Lucky Strike. The private comments that although they bunked in tents, they had all the comforts of an up-to-date hotel and received such wonderful treatment that there was not one of the 1300 former prisoners who did not cry when they arrived – it was such a contrast to the treatment by the Nazis. Then, too, the men knew that they would soon be enroute to their homes. The trip to the United States was on a hospital ship, and the men had an opportunity to relax and enjoy good food, so their condition was greatly improved by the time they arrived in this country last Saturday. The first stop was at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, from where private First Class Smith telephoned his parents as soon as possible. The local man was among those whose brief interviews were broadcast over one of the 38 stations that had microphones set up in the camp. Private First Class Smith, who was among the 1,900 liberated prisoners of war, arrived in Norwalk last evening. Upon completion of his furlough, he will report to Lake Placid, New York, for further assignment. PFC Frank Pratt Smith, whose liberation from s prisoner of war camp in Germany took place on the night of April 2, arrived last night for a 60-day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Smith of 13 Center Avenue. PFC Smith was one of the 1900 liberated prisoners of war who arrived in this country during the weekend and reported at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, before coming to Norwalk. He was reported by the War Department as missing in action in France since January 12, but on March 27, another telegram reported him as a prisoner of war. The third message, telling the good news of his liberation, was contained in a letter received by his parents in April. The private, with the 315th Infantry, enlisted in September 1940 and, for a time, was stationed on a U. S. Army cable ship operating outside Boston Harbor and later served in the Quartermaster Corps at Fort Rodman, Massachusetts. He went overseas in October 1944. His brother, Corporal Hanford Weed Smith, is in Germany
Burial details, if any, are unknown.
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