World War II veteran reflects on D-Day and life lessons
By Phil Reed
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BELLA VISTA, Arkansas (KHBS, KHOG) — KB Smith, a 100-year-old World War II veteran who lives in Bella Vista, is spending Veterans Day reflecting on his time fighting for freedom, including his experience storming the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.
Smith said he enlisted shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“People were upset about it, and patriotism was rampant,” he said.
As a senior in high school, Smith first tried to join the Navy but was told by the recruiter that he needed more potassium. “I was five foot five, and I weighed 120 pounds. He said ‘Son, you better go home and eat some bananas, and bulk up a little bit,'” Smith said.
After a couple of weeks and five pounds, Smith was ready to serve his country. He is part of the Greatest Generation, with his journey taking him to D-Day and the beaches of Normandy during World War II.
“I never once had any thought about if I was going to lose my life. My whole thing was about doing a good job with the job I was trained to do,” Smith said.
After the war, Smith and his wife moved from Nebraska to Northwest Arkansas, where he feels the warm embrace from Arkansans everywhere he goes.
“So many thank you for your services, and they come up, and they want to talk,” he said.
Smith advises the younger generation to be patient and understanding of each other.
“It just seems like people are growing apart instead of together,” he said.
Smith attributes his long and healthy life to his faith in Christ and having a good wife.
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