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Featured Oral History
Guffrie Matthew Smith, Sr.
June 1, 1921 - October 25, 2009
Decorated World War II Buffalo Soldier, Entrepreneur, Community Leader.​
"...we went up on this mountain... you had to walk over men. They lain all on the mountain. ...one [US Infantry] fellow got shot, and we got him down there to try and comfort him—and they just start shelling and shelling us. And fellows was falling and running.”. ~Guffrie Smith from his interview with Merideth Taylor on July 19, 1999. Excerpt from page 6 of the transcript.
Guffrie Smith is well-known for running a school bus service for 47 years, never having a problem getting contracts. He operated a barbershop and other busineses. One of his first jobs after completing seventh grade was at St. Mary's Female Seminary. He served in the 92nd Infantry in Italy in WWII, the acclaimed Buffalo Soldiers, and came home wounded—he received a World War II Victory Ribbon, Purple Heart Medal, Exemplary Service Medal, and Efficiency Honor Fidelity Medal.
UCAC
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Recognizing the contributions of African Americans within St. Mary's County, Maryland. Our commitment is to build pathways and structures linking the past to the present, and celebrating the great accomplishments of those who have been left out of historical accounts.
