African American. Alaska Highway. Company A. Born: September 8, 1919, Doswell, VA. Died: September 21, 1977, Doswell, Hanover, VA. He died when a cigarette started a fire with his clothing. He suffered second and third degree burns and died from persistant sepsis and debilitation. Enlisted: May 17, 1941, Richmond, VA.
Education: grammar school. Civilian occupation: lumberman, farmer. His father was Turner Smithers, a laborer at a wood house and his mother was Anna Marie Tillman. He married Ecell Morris on April 30, 1949 in Caroline County, VA. Morris was working with the railroad when he married.
Serial #33044139