Earl L Smith served honorably in the WWII Naval Armed Guard Service. He served
on several ships. Earl served on the SS Metapan, the SS Kenesaw Mountain, the
USAT General George R Simonds, the SS Charles Piez, and the SS Vassar Victory.

Earl then served with the Armed Guard Navy Beach Battalion at Normandy.

Earl was born June 3, 1921 in Morgantown, West Virginia and raised there. After
High School graduation he moved to Baltimore, Maryland and worked for the old
Glenn L. Martin Company from 1939 to 1942.

Earl enlisted in the US Navy even though he was in a defense industry and could
have been deferred. His Father, Joseph L. Smith received a draft notice as a result
of his service in World War I but was rejected. He was 44 years old.

Earl returned to his job at the Martin Company in 1946 but when an opportunity
presented itself in 1948 to become a State Farm Agent he jumped at it as he was
a born salesman. He remained with State Farm until October 1984 when a heart
condition prompted his early retirement.

Earl and his wife, Betty Bowman Smith, lived in Maryland until both retired
from State Farm in 1984 and moved to Zellwood Station, Florida in June of 1985.
They visited England and France in 1990 and toured the French Coast, especially
Omaha Beach. They visited many ports Earl had visited while in the Navy Armed
Guard.

Earl and Betty have two children, Charlotte Smith Reams, a teacher in Richmond,
Virginia, and Earl L. Smith, Jr., an insurance underwriter in Maryland. They
have four Grandchildren.

Earl passed away 24 June 1995 and is survived by his widow Betty Bowman Smith.
If you knew Earl you can contact Mrs. Smith by email at BBS0561@JUNO.COM