Soldier, Writer, World Traveler, Guy Who Brought Home That Grenade: Meet Patrick Smith

As soon as we jumped into No Man’s Land, the German machine guns crackled out and a row of men went down like corn. As they went down, another row of men took their place. And on and on we went toward the German line, 750 yards away. —Patrick Smith’s personal papers, Jan. 21, 1921

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New Canaan’s Patrick Smith was 46 when he applied to join the U.S. war effort on Sept.