Effort to honor WWII Veteran with highway signs in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Okla. (KFOR) - There’s an effort to honor a WWII Veteran down in Lexington, Oklahoma just east of Purcell. They want to dedicate a stretch of highway in his name with two signs, but they need help paying for it and they’re hoping Oklahomans can step in and help with that.

The gentlemen seeking the donations are with the American Legion Post in Lexington. They want to put a sign on the east side of the James Nance Bridge that connects Lexington and Purcell. The signs would honor Col. John L. Smith, a medal of honor recipient. They also want to put another one just about a mile north of that location, but still on Highway 77. They just need help raising the money to do so.

"We're want this dedicated to this man because he deserves it,” Glen Parker, a Vietnam veteran with the American Legion Post said.

Being on the cover of LIFE Magazine in 1942 is only a part of the storied history of Col. John Lucien Smith.

"President Roosevelt awarded him the Medal of Honor,” Parker said. "Five Star Adm. Chester Nimitz presented him with a Navy Cross."

It starts with him being born and raised in Lexington, Oklahoma. He even has his own plaque inside City Hall there. He was a University of Oklahoma graduate in 1936, then he joined the Marines soon after and became a Naval Aviator.

"Col. Smith shot down 19 Japanese planes during the Battle of Guadalcanal,” Parker said.

Smith’s Marine Fighter Squadron shot down 83 total enemy aircraft. He served 24 years from 1936 to 1960 and earned 18 total medals, including the Medal of Honor. Now, Parker and others with the Lexington American Legion Post want to honor him with two signs along Highway 77.

"They sent us an invoice for $1,720, $860 apiece for those signs,” Parker said.

The invoice comes from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Under state statute, it costs money to do something like this unless the person who served was killed in “contingency operations.” So, they’re hoping Oklahomans can step in and help raise money for their hometown hero.

"If there's anything I can do to help I'll do it,” Parker said.

Smith died at the age of 57 in 1972. He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery. If you’d like to donate, that legion post can be reached by email at okpost301@gmail.com or by phone at 405-823-9051.