Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Remembering the servicemembers who died in the service of their country.

Army 1st Lt. Justin S. Smith

28, of Lansing, Michigan.
Smith died in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado. Died on November 7, 2005.

Please send information, photos, and corrections for Army 1st Lt. Justin S. Smith.

Links:

Contributions to the Families of the Fallen

Messages:

Leave a message in memory of this servicemember, and/or to the loved ones left behind.

Please report inappropriate messages

"It has been years now since your return to Heaven. I never really understood why you had to leave this world; now that I'm older and have a better understanding of faith and why things happen, I know that you served your purpose in this life and God has called you home. You've left your imprint on many hearts. You were an amazing father figure to me during my childhood. My prayers go out to your Mother, Grandparents, siblings, as well as your wife and children."
Calvin Fennell IV of Fayetteville, NC

"Never Forgotten ! (2015)
From your friend..Sgt Thompson, David R.
Iron Hawk Troop 3/3 ACR"
David R. Thompson of Pueblo, CO

""You will always live in my heart !!
" I will never forget you!" (2014)
SGT Thompson,David R.
IRON HAWK 3/3 ACR""

"To the family of:Justin S. Smith
I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. My heart cries out for you in your grief and you have my thoughts and prayers. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need prayer or need someone to talk to, please call or write my pastor: Rev. John Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015.
Your friend in Jesus Christ, Polly Ballew Covington,Ga""

"Justin,
I will always remember you as a gentleman and Soldier. Thank you for your sacrifice brother. You are loved and missed.
Rey Craig
1LT, USAR"
of Louisville, KY

"Every time I think of you I remember your beautiful smile and how you used to tease me, but we stayed friends from elementary to high school. I miss you, I'm proud of you. i hold you in the highest honor. Miss you brother!!!"
Shannon Tett-Davis of Lansing, Michigan U.S.A

"Justin,
It's been almost four years and I still think about you and all the good times we use to have back in the day. I hope to one day see you again in the afterlife brother along with our other fallen brethren..."
SFC Don (Jr) Adkins of KAF, Afghanistan

"Justin, You have left an amazing woman behind, who misses and loves you so very much! She is doing a wonderful job at being a " mommy" to your boys and I know you are watching over them all. Thank you for your service and courage. With all my respect..."
Kelly Emory of Clayton, N.C.

"I can remember like it was yesterday the good times we shared as well as the future plans of hanging out we were gonna do after the deployment. Til' this
day, I am very sad but glad that I had the chance to chill with you. You will for ever live in my heart..
SGT Thompson, David R.
" One of the shades "
IRON HAWK 3/3 ACR
"Heat em'up before you beat em' up.""
David R.Thompson of Pueblo,CO (USA)

"It's very sad. Simply God bless you for ever."
Maj (Itaf) Lo Celso Francesco of Italy

"It's three years now buddy, I miss you and hope that your family is doing well."
James Snoddy of Washington, DC

"November 7, 2008
To the family of 1st Lt. Justin S. Smith:
Justin gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV

"Hey buddy. It's two years now. I hope that Shelly and your son & stepson are well. From the last picture I saw of him. he looks like you. I still think of you often."
James Snoddy of Washington, DC

"Justin, as I sit here now in Iraq and now just finding out about your death I feel a real deep sorrow for not staying in touch since our days together in Korea. You were the best rave/techno dance partner and true friend a man could ask for. I and my family will keep you and your family in our prayers. I will keep the memory of you alive for the rest of my days. To the Smith family, I'm am very deeply sorry for your loss of such a wonderful and devoted friend, soldier, and father. God Bless."
Sergeant First Class Donald Adkins of Ft Bragg, NC (Mosul, Iraq)

"One year. I'm not sure if time has flown or crawled...either way, it has passed. You are more loved and more missed than you were last year. I didn't think it was possible, but it's true. Thank you for being so willing to put aside your carefully crafted, planned and spreadsheeted [:o)] dreams to protect me and our boys. Thank you for being a hero to our boys...not only in your death, but in your life. I have such wonderful things to tell Ayden. I can smile about that. There are 4 things so important...Family, Faith, Friends and Freedom. I shared all 4 with you...the last one because of you. I still miss you...and always will...but I want you to know that our grief is turning into grace.
Love you forever,
Your wife"
Shellie Smith of Clayton / NC

"Justin,
Brother,.. I can't believe a year has passed. I know exactly how James Snoody feels when he talks about how life was much more fun with you around. I was very lucky to have been your roommate in Iraq. The lessons you taught me that I never got a chance to thank you for make me better everyday. I wish I could have "great arguments" with you again. The kind that used to keep us up all night until breakfast. You had a better financial mind then me. Although I never could admit that to your face. I was with you that fateful day.. I messed with you about the Oreo's that we bought together... because you ate most of them. Funny the things that pop into my head when I think of you. You can have all the Oreo's you want. I miss you. I pray for Shellie, the boys and Judy. Judy I enjoyed meeting you at Fort Carson. “The measure of a man is the legacy he leaves behind""
CPT Tom Weitzel of COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

"Justin, we knew you such a short time but grew to love you very much. We remember you and honor you today as a special young man and a true hero. We will never forget you and your sacrifice. We miss you."
Brenda Couch of Raleigh, NC/USA

"Justin,

It is a day from the anniversary of your death. I can remember that day with painful accuracy. If only I could have gotten out to relieve you sooner...
I will never forget you. You bugged me and bugged me to go to Denver with you, or downtown or wherever before we left for Iraq. I'm glad you did...I got to know you as a person and not just another Platoon Leader. You truly are someone to look up to and your example inspires me everyday. I pray for you and your family every night.
As tomorrow approaches I will never forget it. It's only been a year but your memory will continue to live with me. I salute you, buddy.

Nate Garner, 1LT
"No Slack!""
of Ft Hood, TX

"Justin, "Check this out," you were a great guy and you made NALC much easier and much more fun than it should have been. I read about your death in the Stars and Stripes while I was in Mosul. I thought, "Smith is a pretty common name, it can't be Justin." So I checked it on the internet, and there you were. I'm sending some photos that I'm not sure your family has. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I want you to know that I wrote a eulogy and sent it to all of my friends and family so that they could know what a great guy you were, and also so that they could know of the great personal cost that this war has exacted upon us. Miss you, brother."
James Snoddy of Baghdad, Iraq

"TO THE SMITH FAMILY,
THANK YOU FOR SUCH A WOUNDERFUL, SON , FATHER, HUSBAND,
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU!"
PATTI BENTLEY of MULLIKEN, MI

"Judy we met tonight on the chat. I never had the priveledge of meeting Justin. I am sure he was a fine young man and from the comments he was a fine soldier. I am sorry that your son was taken from you and his family. Patrick Farnan, proud father of Spc Colby M Farnan."
Patrick Farnan of Weston, MO

"Justin, rest in peace and God bless you for your service to our country. You made the greatest sacrifice a man can make for freedom.

Shellie, God bless you and your son. I pray that God takes care of you and that you have the love and support you need."
Nicki of Ft. Lewis, Washington

"Judy, Keeping you in my thoughts and Prayers."
Dawn Golby Proud Mom of Sgt. Christopher Golby KIA Jan 8, 2004 of Johnstown, Pa

"MY son had so much to live for so many friends a wife a baby he loved so dearly,a mom that loves him so much it hurts so bad.He was a blessing to me. He was so strong and kind hearted to know him was to like him.He cared about others, he liked good ending. I'll never know why he was taken so young just 28 and so full of life. Part of me is gone, we had many plans, and you that knew him knows how he planed everything,very focused.Thank each and every one for your kind words. Justin's Mom Judy Smith Lansing MI."
Judy Smith Mother of 115 N. Grace Lansing MI.48917

"MY son had so much to live for so many friends a wife a baby he loved so dearly,a mom that loves him so much it hurts so bad.He was a blessing to me. He was so strong and kind hearted to know him was to like him.He cared about others, he liked good ending. I'll never know why he was taken so young just 28 and so full of life. Part of me is gone, we had many plans, and you that knew him knows how he planed everything,very focused.Thank each and every one for your kind words. Justin's Mom Judy Smith Lansing MI."
Judy Smith Mother of 115 N. Grace Lansing MI.48917

"To the Smith Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Justin, you sir are a true American Hero. Thank you Justin for all you have done in Iraq and being so brave over there. May God bless you Justin, and God Bless your family."
Mary Ghaney of Brooklyn, New York

"If tears could build a stairway,
And memories were a lane.
I would walk right up to heaven,
To bring you home again.

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say good-bye.
You were gone before I knew it,
And only God knows why.

My heart still aches in sadness,
And secret tears still flow.
What it meant to lose you,
No one will ever know.

You and angels around Gods happy throne.
I would have held you closer if I had known
~Unknown Author~
Gone – but not forgotten.
Thank you for sharing your loved one with us,
and for the sacrifice made by you and your family on our behalf.
Proud mom of Lcpl Alex. Currently serving in Iraq"
Patricia of Bishop, CA

"Lt. Smith,
Sir, I would like to say thank you to you and the three other soldiers from your unit(3/3rd ACR) who were killed in that blast for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

"Brave Rifles"(3rd ACR Motto)"

"To the Family and friends of Justin,

I served with Justin when he was assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group, and I can honestly say that he was someone that I will never forget. He will forever be remembered as a a friend, and a Hero.

May god bless you in your time of greif.

"Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another." Earnest Hemingway"
james f. martin of Ft. Bragg, NC

"We Will NEVER FORGET !"
Please KNOW so many people share your sadness,
and we are remembering your family in your loss and your deep grief.
Our nations HERO, Justin will be remembered by name.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge / Montana God Bless you ALWAYS. "

"Thank you Justin Smith, you will not be forgotten. Your bravery goes beyond words. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your sacrifice. To the family and friends, my prayers and deep condolences in your loss. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. God bless you all. A very appreciative fellow American,"
Leo Titus of Grayslake, Illinios

"To the family and friends of 1st Lt. Justin Smith:
May God's grace be with you during your time of grief. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we feel your loss and share in your sorrow. Bless Justin for the sacrifice he has made to make a better life for the rest of us."
The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada

"To the family and friends of 1st Lt. Justin Smith:
I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. He will always be remembered as a hero for fighting for freedom. I hope that this website will be a source of comfort and encouragement for you during this difficult time, and in the future as you recall the memories of Justin, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia

Honor them by remembering... Freedom - is their gift to us But his soul goes marching on