A Tribute in Honor of:
Andrew C. Smith
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Date of Induction: 27 Nov 1942

Date of Entry Into Active Service: 4 Dec 1942

Place of Entry Into Service: Ft. Jackson, SC

Military Occupational Specialty and Number: Telephone Operator Field (650)

Military Qualification: M1-Rifle MM

Battles and Campaigns: New Guinea Luzon GO 105 WD 45

Decorations and Citations: Philippine Liberation GO 23 Hq USAFFE 5 Feb 1945, Good Conduct Medal, APT Theatre Medal, World War II Victory Medal

Wounds Received in Action: NONE

Grade: PFC

Organization: Btry B 350th AAA SL Bn

Date of Separation: 9 Jan 1946

Place of Separation: Sep C Cp Gordon GA

Additional Info:

Listed on 350th AAA SL Bn roster dated 16 September 1943, Battery "B", Forth Section, Second Platoon.

Good Conduct Medal awarded 10 Sep 1945
Soldiers of the 350th AAA SL Bn
in New Guinea
The 350th Coast Artillery Battalion was first organized on May 1, 1942 at Camp Stewart, GA. In June 1942, the Battalion was transferred to the Fighter Command School in Orlando, FL. The Battalion was assigned to the 10th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group, and was moved to Eustis, FL in September. While still training the the Fighter Command School, the Battalion relocated to Winter Garden & Apopka, FL in December 1942. The Battalion was redesignated the 350th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion in May 1943. Four months later, the 350th AAA SL Bn was transferred to Camp Stoneman, California and in October 1943, sailed for the Pacific.

The Battalion arrived in Sydney, Australia in November 1943; then was stationed at Camp Cluden, where it took part in jungle training for the next three months. In February 1944, the 350th sailed for New Guinea, arriving at Lae in Northwestern New Guinea. The Battalion rejoined the 10th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group and was assigned to Nadzab, where it remained until December 1944; then moved to Finschaven. In March 1945, the 350th sailed for the Philippines.

Upon it's arrival in Manila in April 1945, the Battalion was relieved of its anti-aircraft mission and assigned to General MacArthur's headquarters as part of the security and guard detail for the headquarters and the General's residence.

Many of the members of 350th witnessed the formal signing of the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri.

The 350th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion was inactivated in Manila on February 21, 1946.
LINKS:
225th AAA Searchlight Battalion
352nd AAA Searchlight Battalion
The National D-Day Museum
The National WWII Memorial
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

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