About
Giles Owen Smith, the son of Charles and Anna (Lansing) Smith, was born on October 13, 1896, in Schenectady, New York. Giles resided on Duane Avenue and Stop #5 Albany Road while growing up. He belonged to the State Street Presbyterian Church.
Giles enlisted in the United States Army on May 12, 1918, and received his basic training at Fort Slocum in New York. He held the rank of Private and served with the Gas Division, 155, USA. He was shipped out to sea on the Great Northern on August 13, 1918. Giles spent 6 months in France before passing away from influenza at Camp Merritt, New Jersey, on March 2, 1919, just days after returning to the United States. He is buried in Park View Cemetery, Schenectady, New York.
Sources: The Schenectady Gazette, Find A Grave, Ancestry