Photo shared by Military Road Museum at Lavaca Myrle J Smithson was born July 25, 1925 in Big Creek Township, Sebastian Co., Ar. to James Grady & Minne Mae Waller Smithson. On November 8, 1951 Myrle married Betty Tatum in Fresno, California. July 7 , 1943 Myrle registered for the draft at the American Legion Hall Sallisaw, Sequoyah Co., Okla. He enlisted in the US Marine Corp and served in the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Div., Fleet Marine Force, Co. C. 1st Battalion was nicknamed "Geronimo". Pvt. Myrle Smithson was wounded June 22, 1945 and was on board the USS Solace, a hospital ship June 27, 1945. In 1955 Myrle & Betty are found in the Fresno, California City Directory. He is a Lift Operator. Myrle passed away March 27, 2023. His burial was in the National Cemetery at Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. ------------------------------------------------- Myrle J. Smithson, 97, was born in Lavaca, AR, July 5, 1925 to James Grady and Minnie Mae (Waller) Smithson. He died March 27, 2023. Myrle joined the Marine Corps during WWII, and he was wounded on Okinawa, and he was the recipient of the Purple Heart. He spent many years in law enforcement in California, Waldron, AR, and Sebastian County, AR. He was proud of his service in the Marine Corps and working in law enforcement. Myrle was a member of Union Baptist Church in Lavaca. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lois, Prentise, Carl, Curtis, Bobby, Frankie, and Billie Smithson; and one sister, Verna Jean Hogan. He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Etta L. “Ginger” Smithson of the home; precious Yorkie, Gidget; a daughter, Pamela Satterfield of Murphys, CA; grandson, David J. Satterfield and wife Sandy, of Murphys, CA; granddaughter, Andrea Satterfield and husband Anthony, of Salinas, CA; two great-granddaughters; sister, Joy Saucier of Lavaca; brother, Jimmy Smithson of Lavaca; and several nephews and nieces. Visitation will be Sunday, April 2, 2023, from 2 – 4 PM at Edwards Funeral Home. Graveside service will be 11:00 AM Monday, April 3, 2023, officiated by nephew, Steve Smithson, at U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.