Pvt. James Kirby Smith was born in Brighton, Tipton County, TN to Robert Lee Smith and Frances Ida Huffman Smith on Sept. 11, 1895.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 28, 1918, under service number 3501627. He was 22 years old when he enlisted, 5′ 9 1/2″ tall, with blue eyes, brown hair and fair complexion. His initial training was held at Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia. He served during World War I with the American Expeditionary Forces, Co. G, 140th Infantry, 35th Division. He is not recorded as having been awarded any medals or citations.

His character upon discharged was listed as excellent, and he did not receive an wounds and his physical condition was “normal.”

After the war, he returned to Tipton County where he worked as a bottler in a Brewery company.

Never marrying, James K. Smith died on Feb. 27, 1940, from pneumonia at the VA Hospital in Memphis, Shelby County, TN. He is buried in Indian Creek Cemetery, the same cemetery as his parents.