Frederick Leon Smith

Hagerstown - Frederick Leon Smith, 93, now rests in Peace. Fred was blessed with a family legacy that will continue through his beloved children, Dr. April Zentmeyer, Paul Maynard Smith, Stephen October Smith, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Born September 17, 1930 to parents Truman Smith and Martha Cauffman Hose, on August 17, 2024 he joined his wife Margaret “Peg” Rachel (Williams) Smith and sons Frederick November Smith and Frederick Leon Smith, Jr. in eternal glory.U.S. Army Sargeant Smith enlisted in June 1948 with his brother Robert “Bobby” Smith, at the same time as his uncle Leroy Cauffman and stepfather Lewis Hose. In June 1950, as their overseas assignment (Army cook) in Japan came to a close, Bobby and Fred boarded a ship to voyage home that was diverted because the Korean War started. Fred and Bobby were assigned to Fox Troop, 5th Calvary Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division and disembarked at Pohang, South Korea. Within days Fox Troop was engaged in heavy combat losing nearly the entire unit. In hostile fighting against multiple North Korean assaults, Fred’s brother Bobby was killed while fighting side-by-side with Fred on 20 July. Fred was one of four survivors of the Troop that month. Fred’s unit was later reconstituted and he continued to fight up and down the peninsula for the next year. Fred received the Bronze Star for Heroism for the action at Schiri, which claimed his brother’s life. He was nominated for the Silver Star for Gallantry for action at Pyongyang. He has also been awarded three Purple Hearts for wounds received in a number of engagements. In 1951, Fred told the Herald newspaper, “Bob earned the medals – I just accepted them for him.” He thanked the Good Lord for bringing him home.His father Truman Smith owned a coal company and Fred grew up working multiple jobs to help support his family to include delivering newspapers and shoveling coal before school with his brother. He worked diligently often juggling several jobs to provide for his family including early morning milk deliveries, construction, Funkstown Police Department, and later had a career with the Western Maryland Railway, Chessie System and CSX railroad until he retired. Fred was a successful investor, builder, artist, and collector. He was a carpenter and craftsman who could build any kind of wood furniture or cabinets. He enjoyed working in the garden, riding his John Deere cutting grass, crossword and jigsaw puzzles and watching Wheel of Fortune.  He is survived by three children: Dr. April Ann Zentmeyer (John, deceased); Paul Maynard Smith (Julie), Stephen October Smith; grandchildren: Holly Duffey (Sean), Jennifer Thorne, Beth Harvey (Col. USA Ret. Derek), Staci Lehman, Tannen Smith, Jessica Kesterson (VAARNG Spc. John), Wesley Fink (Corrie), Zachariah Smith (Jennifer), Sturgis Smith; and great grandchildren, Ellie Harvey, Timothy Carr III, Ethan Carr, Asher Harvey, Harbin Elizabeth Harvey, Landen Fink, Levi Smith, Ryan Fink, Eilish Duffey, Sagan Duffey. A celebration of Fred’s life will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery. Friends will be received at the funeral home one hour prior to the servcie from 10-11 A.M.