Jamie Smith (soldier)

Cpl. James "Jamie" Edgar Smith Jr. (1972 – October 3 1993) was a U.S. Army Ranger who served in Mogadishu, Somalia. He was one of the 18 American soldiers killed during the The Battle of Mogadishu, bleeding to death after being shot in the thigh. Smith was the eldest of three sons of James H. Smith, a Vietnam War veteran.

Early life

Jamie Smith was born in 1972 to James and Carol Smith. He was from Long Valley, New Jersey. Smith graduated from West Morris Central High School in 1990, where he played both varsity lacrosse and football. After graduation, Smith went on to enlist in the US Army, his goal from the beginning to become an Army Ranger. Smith became a machine gunner, and was one of the top gunners in his regiment. He was quickly promoted to corporal.

Military Service

Smith was one of 19 US military personnel killed in action in Somalia between October 3 and 4, 1993. He had been part of a Ranger unit fast roping from a helicopter to provide security for a mission to capture Somali clan leaders. He was among the first Rangers to arrive at the scene of one of the downed helicopters. The Rangers did not want to leave dead bodies in the helicopter; Somalis were known for mutilating American bodies. He was helping a fellow soldier when an enemy bullet struck his thigh, severing his femoral artery.

Film and Book portrayals

In the 2001 film Black Hawk Down, based on the operation, Smith was portrayed by Charlie Hofheimer and served as Matt Eversmann's second in command. The most notable scene including Smith was shortly after he was shot in the leg, being cared for by other United States soldiers attempting to save his life. Jamie Smith's role in the Battle of Mogadishu was described in the novel Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. Smith's father was extensively interviewed by the book's author, Mark Bowden, prior to being published in 1999.

Tributes

Jamie Smith was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star with Valor Device and Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a Purple Heart.

During the reading of a tribute to him in the senate he was said to be "dedicated and responsible...extremely focused on his commitment to the U.S. Army"

See also

• Battle of Mogadishu (1993)
• Black Hawk Down (book)
• Black Hawk Down (film)
• Fall of Mogadishu
• Operation Gothic Serpent
• Somali Civil War

References

• Bowden, Mark, Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, Atlantic Monthly Press (1999)
• http://www.nightstalkers.com/tfranger/memorial/smith/index.html
• http://www.hollywood.com/movie/Black_Hawk_Down/416131