Prentiss Ray Smithson was born June 14, 1919 in Big Creek Township, Sebastian Co., Ar. to James Grady & Minne Mae Waller Smithson. On August 10, 1941 Prentiss married Gladys Lou Dooley. Oct. 16, 1940 Prentiss registered for the draft in Big Creek, Sebastian Co.Ar. On his registration card he says he is a student at Lavaca High School. May 5, 1942 Prentiss enlisted in the US Army at Los Angeles, Ca. He residence was listed as Tulare, Ca. He attained the rank of S/Sgt. In Jan. 1945 he was admitted to a military hosiptal for non battle causes. This was his Diagnosis: "Fracture, compound, comminuted with no nerve or artery involvement; Location: Femur, Shaft; Location: Foot, generally; Causative Agent: Bullet, Machine Gun; Diagnosis: Frost bite, New; Diagnosis: Limitation of motion. Treatmemt: " Fracture, compound, closed, treatmnt of, w/splints/casts; or Fracture w/bone fragment removal & cast; Penicillin therapy (treatment with penicillin)". He had been in a Invalided Home until he was healed. He was discharged: Aug 1945. Prentiss Ray Smithson passed away in a hospital in McAlester, Ok Jan 23, 1960 and burial was at Wilburton, Latimer Co., Okla. where he had lived after the end of the war. Jan 28, 1960 Latimer Co, News Tribune, Wilburton. Ok.