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The Good Stuff: Bella Vista veteran commemorates 100th birthday week at D-Day remembrance
BELLA VISTA, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — One Bella Vista veteran marks not only a milestone birthday, but the legacy of the shipmates and heroes he'll never forget.
There are not many days that 100-year-old World War II veteran K.B. Smith finds himself just sitting at home, but when he does you will often find him sitting at his desk in his office.
'It's like going through a photo album over the years,' said K.B. while pointing toward all of the photos on the wall.
Some of the frame photographs include one with an airplane he used to own when he was a pilot with the civil air patrol. Another is a horseback photo taken many years ago when he once served as a deputy.
There were also a number of photos from through the years of K.B. and his wife of 73 years, Sue.
'We met on a blind date on December 1, 1950,' he said with a smile, adding, 'She took good care of me.'
Like she did a year ago when the two traveled to France to attend the 80th D-Day Remembrance event in Normandy. For K.B., it truly is a full-circle moment for him.
On June 6, 1944, he was a crewmember of the U.S.S. Satterlee.
'We were the first warship to fire on the French coast, up close,' shared K.B. about their role providing support to the Army's 2nd Ranger Battalion that was faced with the near impossible mission of scaling the 100-foot cliffs at Omaha Beach.
'The real heroes are the ones who went up the cliff,' added K.B.
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It is an historic role he and his shipmates have proudly shared through the years, including fellow Navyman John Seiwart, from Wisconsin, who he reconnected with in 2015.
'Over the years we narrowed it down to just two,' K.B. said when he and John realized they were the only two known survivors from the Satterlee from D-Day.
When John passed away in August, it left K.B. as the lone remaining voice of the Satterlee.
Without question, K.B. wanted to return to Normandy for the 81st annual remembrance. But this trip would be without his wife, Sue, who passed away just months ago.
So, on May 31st, K.B. boarded an international flight to France with his good friend and fellow veteran Chuck Hammake. And to K.B.'s surprise, there was a surprise birthday party awaiting him on June 1, his 100th birthday.
The party was hosted at the home of John Seiwart's son, Patrick, who just happens to now call Paris, home.
K.B. added, the only thing that could top being treated to a surprise celebration is honoring those who lost their lives in the fight to liberate France from Nazi-Germany.
'It gave me a warm feeling to be a part of that. I tell you; tears came down my cheek and I'm not ashamed to admit it.'
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