Community Corner
Aug 20, 1982: A Middletown U.S. Marine is deployed to Lebanon
Staff Sgt. Thomas G. Smith who was born in Meriden, Leaves For Lebanon
During the Lebanese Civil War, a multinational force including 800 U.S. Marines lands in Beirut to oversee the Palestinian withdrawal from Lebanon. Then, on October 23, Lebanese terrorists evaded security measures and drove a truck packed with explosives into the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 241 U.S. military personnel. Fifty-eight French soldiers were killed almost simultaneously in a separate suicide terrorist attack.
On Monday October 31st 1983 the Middletown Press ran an article, which read in part; “A local Marine who had been listed as missing in action in last week’s suicide bombing in Lebanon was officially listed as dead on Sunday. Staff Sgt. Thomas G. Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Smith of Footit Drive, is one of six Connecticut Marines reported killed in the attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut.”
On the same day the Press ran Smith obituary which read; “Staff Sgt. Thomas G. Smith”
“Staff Sgt. Thomas G. Smith, 25, U.S. Marine Corps, Camp Lejeune, N.C., died in the terrorist bomb blast that destroyed the Battalion Landing Team headquarters in Beirut Lebanon.” “He was born in Meriden, son of Joseph K. and Angela (Maciejaszek) Smith, Jr., of Footit Drive. A 1976 graduate of Xavier High School, he was active in sports, including three years on the track team. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation and was a member of Charlie Company Second Reconnaissance Battalion, Second Marine Division.” “He was a member of the Xavier Alumni Association.” “Besides his parents, he is survived by a brother, Joseph Smith III of Middletown; his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Helen Smith of Pringle, Pa.; also one nephew.”Funeral arrangements are incomplete and in charge of the Biega Funeral Home. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to the Staff Sgt. Thomas G. smith Scholarship Fund, Xavier High School, c/o Richard Feitel, Randolph Road, Middletown 06457.”
On May 7th 1994 at 9:30 the Middletown Thomas G. Smith Park was dedicated.
The 80-acre park cost 2 million dollars to build. Marine, Staff Sergeant Smith, died on October 23rd, 1983 when a terrorist truck bomb exploded at a barracks occupied by the Marines on a peacekeeping mission in Beirut, Lebanon. Smith was one of 240 who lost their lives in the bombing.
