About Peter Sterling Smith

The Post was named for Private Peter Sterling Smith, United States Marine Corps. He was the first Merriam resident to die in WW1. He lies interred in Vitry-Le-Francois, France. Before his death, after being grievously wounded in battle, this was written to his mother and delivered by a woman in the American Red Cross Nursing Service.

Per his registration card dated May 25^th, 1917, Peter Sterling Smith was born on March 18^th, 1891in Deepwater, MO. At the time, he was married and working as a shoe salesman at McElwain-Barton Shoe company on West 8^th street in Kansas City, MO. His home address listed as Shawnee. He was a Private in the U.S. Marine Corps, 5^th USMC Regiment, 2^nd Division.

Between June 1st and October 5th of 1918, Peter fought in these famous World War I battles:

• Ainse Defensive (June 1-5)
• Chateau Thierry (June 6-July16th)
• Ainse-Marne (July 18^th-20^th)
• Marbache (August 6-17^th)
• Timey Sector (September 9-11^th)
• St. Mihiel Offensive (September 12-16^th)
• Meuse-Argonne (Champagne) Offensive in which he died on October 5^th, 1918

He is buried in Plot B Row 4 Grave 18 in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France. For some reason, his grave marker has November 5^th as his death.