Lt. Charles Davis Smith

Our Hometown Heroes

Charles Davis “Snag” Smith

Was One of GS Best Athletes

Lt. Charles Davis Smith was known of as, “Snag” to his friends. Born in Zebulon on September 3, 1917, Smith was a “three-letter” athlete at Griffin High School, Brewton-Parker Institute (College), and the University of Florida. Smith worked at the Atlantic Steel Company in Atlanta before he joined the service where he played first baseman for the company’s baseball team.

“Snag” Smith joined the Army-Air Corps in 1941. He completed his basic training at Maxwell Field and received his wings at Moody Field in Valdosta. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Harding Field in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

A bomber on which he was training, crashed on December 3, 1942, near Livingston, Louisiana. Both Smith and a passenger, Pvt. Thomas Jones, were killed.

Smith was survived by his wife, Eleanor Bass Smith of Mississippi, whom he had married in August, and his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Smith of Griffin. His father C.D., Sr., was Warden at the Spalding County Prison Farm.

Lt. Smith is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Griffin. A plaque will be installed in Griffin honoring our Hometown Hero.