CESENA, ITALY - Canada's most famous soldier, Ernest "Smokey" Smith, was honoured Friday for saving untold lives in 1944 when he singlehandledly fought off German fighters in this little town in northern Italy.
Ernest "Smokey" Smith with a photo of the area where the battle took place.
Smith, now 90 years old and the last living recipient of the Victoria Cross, survived the battle for Cesena 60 years ago, but 307 Canadian soldiers did not.
His bravery, that has made him a legend in Canada, was honoured Friday by the Italian government which unveiled a plaque to be placed on the Savio riverbank, where Smith's actions took place.
On a rainy evening on Oct. 21, Smith, then a 30-year-old private, faced grenade attacks when he crossed an open field with his anti-tank group. That same evening, Smith killed four German Panzergrenadier troops with his tommy gun from a distance of three metres.
Smith managed to hold his position, firing at each German who approached him.
Still facing enemy fire, Smith helped one of his men, Pte. Jimmy Tennant, who had been shot in the shoulder, make his way to a church, and placed him in the care of medics. Tennant survived, and when he returned to Canada Smith helped him find a job. They remained friends until Tennant's death a few years back.
When asked to describe his heroism, Smith told Canadian Press that life is simple in wartime: kill or be killed. He was scared but he couldn't let his fear gain the best of him or he would die.
"If you're not afraid, there's something wrong with you," he said. "You've got to do it. Don't worry about it. Do it."
On hand for Friday's ceremony were Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson, Veterans Affairs Minister Albina Guarnieiri and the mayor of Cesena.
A brave man, of that there is no doubt.
