Robert Carl Smith

Robert “Bob” Carl Smith was raised in the Jackson Township in Madison County. He lived on his family farm northwest of Winterset and graduated from the Earlam Community High School in the class of 1968. During his high school years, he was active in FFA work, serving as an officer during his junior and senior years. Smith was drafted by the Army in February 1969 and trained as an armor reconnaissance specialist. SP4 Smith was sent to South Vietnam in July 1969 and was assigned to the 4th Cavalry in the 1st Infantry Division. Less than one year after being drafted, Smith was killed in Southeast Asia. He died on February 7, 1970 when the vehicle he was aboard hit an enemy booby trap. He was 20 years old at the time of his death and left behind a large family and a fiancé. A funeral service was held at the Early Chapel Christian Church and Smith’s body was buried at the Penn Center Cemetery, both in the Jackson Township.