9-11 Caring Carolina

Smitty

A “Genuine Hero"

            Master Sergeant James “Smitty” Smith, a South Carolina native from Williamsburg County is in the Army National Guard.  He was on his way to the Pentagon when it was attacked.  He saw what was happening and did something about it.  He jumped into the debris and saved as many lives as he possibly could.  Smitty says, “I just tried to make a difference that day with some of the injured and trapped in the Pentagon.” 

On September 11, 2001, Smitty was on his way to the Pentagon when the hijacked plane, en route to San Francisco, crashed.  When he got there, Smitty saw the smoke, debris, and fire.  He said he was just doing what anyone else would have done.  Smitty soaked his shirt in water and he and his co-worker crawled through the burning building searching for anybody who needed help getting out. Smitty says, “We just really wanted to try to find anyone that may have been trapped anywhere that we could possibly save and get out of the building, because we knew they were there.  We just had to find them.”  But, Smitty and the survivors of the Pentagon say the worst part about it all was the smoke.  “The smoke was just so strong it could just take your breath away… They (the survivors) were overcome by the smoke, really couldn’t breathe.  And, they were actually ready to give up at that point.  They had to have help to get out.”  Everyone is grateful to Smitty and proud  of all the lives he did save. 

            Since Smitty did save so many lives, he received 2 awards and was mentioned at the “State of the State” Address by Governor Hodges.  On November 6, 2001, Smitty got his most precious award, the Order of Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest honor.  Governor Jim Hodges said, “Smitty, we thank you for what you’ve done for this country.  There are those out there who thank you for what you did to save their lives.  And, a nation is grateful for the actions you have taken.”  Later, Smitty said, “I feel I was there for a reason…. Freedom is not free….It’s not something we choose to do, but it’s also something we can’t turn or walk away from.”  He held back tears while he received a standing ovation and said, “I’d rather serve anywhere, anytime, so my family and friends do not have to be afraid.”  Then, on December 20, 2001, Smitty received another award, The Palmetto Cross.  Governor Jim Hodges called him a “genuine hero.”  The award was given to Smitty 100 days after the attack.  Adjutant General Stan Spears gave Smitty the cross at the National Guard headquarters.  Smitty’s sister, Betty Floyd said, “We’re just overwhelmed with joy that he received this honor…I’m just proud to know he’s my baby brother.”  Smitty is proud of the honor and said, “I had no problem in turning around and going down to see if we could help.”

            Smitty did a very courageous thing that day and we, as Americans, are very gracious to him.  He still holds a small piece of the airplane that crashed into the Pentagon.  South Carolinians are proud to claim Smitty as one of them.  He shows that ordinary people did extraordinary things to become heroes on 9-11.  All of us in South Carolina and the world applaud courageous people like Smitty.