Louis enlisted in the Army on September 28^th, 1939.  He joined the 409^th, D-Company as a S/Sgt in October, 1943 at Camp Claiborne.  In April, 1944 he was made Platoon Sergeant of the Heavy (81mm) Mortar Platoon.   He was promoted to T/Sgt on October 15^th, on board the USS Monticello, in route to France. 

On December 14^th, 1944, the 409^th, 1^st Battalion was assigned the task of taking Cleebourg, France.  While on a forward observation scouting patrol with 1^st LT Ralph Lamb and radioman Sgt Thomas R. Duff, they were subjected to enemy artillery fire.  Lamb & Duff were KIA while T/Sgt Smith was severely wounded.  Smith succumbed to his wounds on December 21st, 1944.