Local resident Bruce H. Smith along with his brother Kearney will be at Literary Bookpost on Friday (Oct. 14), beginning at noon, for a book signing of ěAboard LCS 11 in World War II: A Memoir by Lawrence B. Smith.î
Lawrence Smith (1925-2005) joined the U. S. Navy in the fall of 1943. He and his shipmates braved the last battle of WWII, Okinawa, where more American sailors were killed than in any other battle. It was the enemyís last bulwark against the allied push toward Japan, and they resorted to a horrific kamikaze assault on the American fleet. Lawrence Smith was a careful observer, and his notes and diaries along with remembrances in letters from his shipmates present a fascinating story of war and camaraderie.
ěAboard LCS 11 in World War IIî is edited by Kearney Smith, Lawrence Smithís younger brother. Kearney is a retired professor of English, having taught language and literature at several colleges. He served four years in the Marine Corps in the 1950s. He earned a masters degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Ph.D. From the University of Georgia at Athens.
Brother Bruce H. Smith, a lieutenant commander, U.S. Navy (ret.), and Kearney Smith, will represent all of the Smiths, living and deceased, at the book event on Friday.
As well as acting as the signer for the book event, the brothers will be available with commentary and answers to questions regarding the book, the brothers, and the Navy. In addition, the Smiths will bring various posterboards and display memorabilia from the time period.
Literary Bookpost is located at 110 S. Main St., Downtown Salisbury. For more information about these events, call 704-630-9788 or visit www.literarybookpost.com.