OTTAWA, ON, August 8, 2005 - Cliff Chadderton, Chairman of the 52 member organizations of the National Council of Veteran Associations, today issued the following statement as a tribute to Ernest Alvia 'Smokey' Smith, VC who died August 4, 2005 in Vancouver , BC.

The following information is from 'Smokey' Smith's citation as printed in The London Gazette, December 20, 1944:

On the 21^st and 22^nd of October 1944, the Savio River Bridge was not passable for our tanks. Smokey led a 3-man patrol across the bridge and established a bridgehead position. The Germans attacked and Smokey disabled two German panther tanks with his bazooka as well as two large self-propelled artillery pieces. He then returned to look after one of his men who was wounded. He picked up some new magazines for his Tommy gun and killed or drove off at least 30 Germans to hold his position overnight until he was relieved by a battalion sized force the next day.

Some of my memories of my 30-year friendship with Smokey Smith:

The story of the late Minister of Veterans Affairs George Hees tells it like it is. It was at the Adura Cemetery on June 1, 1988. Smokey needed an assistant but he said that if Chadderton could climb the 98 steps, then he could also get up to the Cross of Sacrifice. When we got to the top of the hill where the monument was, he asked to lay the first wreath in honour of his dead comrades, however, the wreath had been forgotten. Smokey handed me the wreath that was to be laid by the Honourable George Hees and this wreath was laid on behalf of those who lost their lives.

The story of the landing is interesting. The CO of the Seaforth Highlanders was a Colonel by the name of Burt Hoffmeister who told the troops on board the ship that one Canadian was worth 10 Italians. After landing, Smith paraded himself to Hoffmeister and said that he now should be sent home because he had killed at least 10 Italians. It was a standing joke between Hoffmeister and Smith.

Another story took place in the Garden of Princess Margriet of The Netherlands. The Nicholson VC had just been sold for $250,000. Anne McMillan of CBC asked Smith if he would sell his VC - Smith countered with his own question - - how much did McMillan make? She fluffed off the answer and Smith said "well, I probably make more with my travel agency in a month that the CBC pays you in a whole year."

A special tribute is being paid by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and Prime Minister Paul Martin with a public viewing of the remains in the House of Commons commencing at 9 a.m. on August 9, 2005.

The Citation from The London Gazette, December 20, 1944 follows:

Citation 

'In Italy on the night of 21st-22nd October 1944, a Canadian Infantry Brigade was ordered to establish a bridgehead across the Savio River. The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were selected as the spearhead of the attack, and in weather most unfavourable to the operation they crossed the river and captured their objective in spite of strong opposition from the enemy.

Torrential rain had caused the Savio River to rise six feet in five hours, and as the soft vertical banks made it impossible to bridge the river no tanks or anti-tank guns could be taken across the raging stream to the support of the rifle companies.

As the right forward company was consolidating its objective it was suddenly counter-attacked by a troop of three Mark V Panther tanks supported by two self-propelled guns and about thirty infantry and the situation appeared hopeless.

Under heavy fire from the approaching enemy tanks, Private Smith, showing great initiative and inspiring leadership, led his P.I.A.T.(1) Group of two men across an open field to a position from which the P.I.A.T. could best be employed. Leaving one man on the weapon, Private Smith crossed the road with a companion and obtained another P.I.A.T. Almost immediately an enemy tank came down the road firing its machine-guns along the line of the ditches. Private Smith's comrade was wounded. At a range of thirty feet and having to expose himself to the full view of the enemy, Private Smith fired the P.I.A.T. and hit the tank, putting it out of action. Ten German infantry immediately jumped off the back of the tank and charged him with Schmeissers and grenades. Without hesitation Private Smith moved out on the road and with his Tommy gun at point-blank range, killed four Germans and drove the remainder back. Almost immediately another tank opened fire and more enemy infantry closed in on Smith's position. Obtaining some abandoned Tommy gun magazines from a ditch, he steadfastly held his position, protecting his comrade and fighting the enemy with his Tommy gun until they finally gave up and withdrew in disorder.

One tank and both self-propelled guns had been destroyed by this time, but yet another tank swept the area with fire from a longer range. Private Smith, still showing utter contempt for enemy fire, helped his wounded friend to cover and obtained medical aid for him behind a nearby building. He then returned to his position beside the road to await the possibility of a further enemy attack.

No further immediate attack developed, and as a result the battalion was able to consolidate the bridgehead position so vital to the success of the whole operation, which led to the capture of San Giorgio Di Cesena and a further advance to the Ronco River.

Thus, by the dogged determination, outstanding devotion to duty and superb gallantry of this private soldier, his comrades were so inspired that the bridgehead was held firm against all enemy attacks, pending the arrival of tanks and anti-tank guns some hours later.'