Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Theodore
Shaw
Smylie
1893

–

1984-03-05

Born:

Jackson

, 

Louisiana

Home:

Jackson

, 

Louisiana

Buried: 

Bel-Nor

, 

Missouri

Cemetery:

Valhalla Cemetery

The son and grandson of Presbyterian ministers, Theodore Smylie received his theological education at Louisville Seminary and Westminster College and was ordained himself as a Presbyterian minister. Following service as an Army chaplain during World War I, he ministered in West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, before becoming pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Clayton, Missouri (1930 – 1937), and then as pastor of Oak Hill Presbyterian Church in Saint Louis until his retirement in 1960. More than 2,600 new members were added to the church in his final pastorate.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    312th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 18, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 4 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Theodore Shaw Smylie, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Chaplain Smylie distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 312th Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Bois de Bonvaux, France, 18 September 1918, in carrying a wounded man to the aid station under heavy enemy shell fire.