Marine Corp PFC Thomas Smith was born in Caruthersville, MO, during the Great Depression. One of six children, he joined the Marines six days after his 17th birthday to give his mother “one less mouth to feed” and to help her financially.
After joining in St. Louis in 1947, he earned $32 per month, sent his mother $12 of that, and the military chipped in $100 for her.
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