Harry B. Smith (Blekicke) Killed in Action in France

Private Harry Benjamin Blekicke (Smith) was killed in action on Sept. 17, 1918. He entered service from New York and served in the 309th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division.

He is buried in Plot B, Row 7, Grave 36, St. Mihiel American Cemetery, Thiaucourt, France.

This is likely the same soldier listed in Belleville records.

On May 29, 1929, a section of the St. Peter's Church rectory grounds at the corner of William and Dow streets was dedicated a monument to the memory of the men had lost their lives in the "several wars."

Names of those inscribed in the monument who lay down their lives for their country included Harry Benjamin Blekicke, Carmen Carruccio, Edward Crowell, Michael Augustus Flynn, Henry Charles Hoag, Edward Joseph Kane, Charles McGinty, Thomas Joseph Mooney, Michael John Murray, Charles Aloysius Schaffer, William Thomas Smith, Fred W. Stockham, and George John Kalvio.

This monument has since been relocated to a place of honor at the main entrance to the cemetery.

Sources:

American Battle Monuments Commission

Global, Find a Grave® Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current

St. Peter's Church Cemetery, Belleville, NJ, WW1 Memorial

Belleville Sons Honor Roll

  A Place of Honor and Remembrance 
In the Home of the Brave

World War I