Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1942 Lucky Bag:

NORMAN C. SMITH

Blow, Smitty, Yank, Daisy Mae

Cross Country 4, c42c; Baseball 4, 3, 2, N*; Boat Club 3; 1 Stripe.

“Blow” prepped for West Point, wound up in USNA. He is a true son of Vermont, independent and argumentative. He lives for baseball; the major leagues really lost a good bet to the Service here. Almost a confirmed “red mike,” he occasionally used his smiling and witty way to charm the gals. He’ll take Pensacola in stride, keep on winning friends, and be one of our best.

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The Class of 1942 graduated on December 19, 1941, less than two weeks after the United States entered World War II. The class had previously been scheduled to graduate in February 1942.

Loss

Norman was lost when USS Jacob Jones (DD 130) was sunk by a German submarine on February 28, 1942.

From U-Boat Attack Logs: A Complete Record of Warship Sinkings:

The only officer recorded as having survived the explosions, Assistant Engineer Ensign Norman C. Smith, was so badly wounded that “he was practically incoherent at all times until his death.”

From the March 3, 1942 Naval communique reprinted in the April, 1942 issue of Shipmates:

The USS JACOB JONES, a World War destroyer, was sunk by an enemy submarine off Cape May, New Jersey, just before dawn on February 28, 1942.

There were only eleven survivors consisting of nine engine room ratings and two apprentice seamen. Factual information in regard to the circumstances that led to the sinking is sparse because of the lack of deck ratings among the survivors. It has been established, however, that prior to receiving the first torpedo hit, the enemy submarine was not sighted nor was the torpedo.

The first torpedo blew up the bow and apparently killed all the personnel on the bridge as well as the men sleeping in the forward living compartments. The second torpedo, which was fired after the submarine circled ahead of the JACOB JONES, blew up the stern and all the depth charges.

The only survivors, except one man from the after engine room, were in the amidship section when the stern was blown up.

Other Information

From: The Barre Valley Times, Vermont, March 9, 1942 via researcher Kathy Franz:

Moretown, March 9 – St. Patrick’s church was filled to capacity today for the memorial requiem high mass for Ensign Norman Smith of Waitsfield, reported last week as being “missing in action at sea.” Rev. Laurence R. Cain of Waterbury officiated.

Speaking under the stress of intense emotion, Father Cain delivered an eloquent eulogy. His voice faltering and quivering as he spoke of one he knew well, Father Cain paid a glowing tribute to the youthful ensign, before a weeping congregation.

He recalled that when he first officiated as pastor of St. Patrick’s church, which is part of the Waterbury mission, seven years ago, Norman Smith was an altar boy. From then on, he closely followed his career as the youth went on to distinction in life and achieved honors in many fields. When he entertained the newly-commissioned ensign at dinner during the last holiday season, he was greatly impressed by the deep humility of the youth as he started forth on his serious mission. His high character and goodness were apparent in his face and eyes. No man can do more than give his life for his country and his friends, Father Cain declared. He besought the prayers of the congregation for the ensign and for his family.

From the Montpelier Evening Argus, March 3, 1942 via researcher Kathy Franz:

Norman Smith, One-Time Ace Hurler, Lost at Sea

[Norman] who graduated from Annapolis last December, was well known in Montpelier once having a try-out with the Senators. The young Waitsfield pitcher captained the naval academy team last summer, and the preceding summer he reported to Manager “Doc” Gautreau, Senator manager, with a view to playing some baseball while on vacation. At that time he carried a letter of the highest recommendation from Max Bishop, coach of the academy team and a former star second baseman for Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics.

Manager Gautreau was impressed with Smith’s ability, but could not use the youngster because the season was well under way and the time limit for registering new players was about to expire. While in Montpelier Norman was the inseparable companion of “Home Run” Kenny Graham, when the two were in town at the same time.

Smith went to the naval academy from Waitsfield high school, where he gained considerable reputation as a schoolboy pitcher.

He has a memory marker in Vermont and another at the East Coast Memorial.

Photographs

From the Lucky Bag

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Hugh D. Black ‘26, Burton R. Hanson ‘40, and Thomas W. Marshall, Jr. ‘30 were also lost when Jacob Jones was torpedoed.