And for that people loved him,” Makos said.Īs the gunner in the tank which was often the first into battle, he had to be able to shoot precisely at a moment’s notice. His motivation came not from wanting to kill the most Germans, but because he wanted to protect his fellow soldiers. He was reluctant to become a tank gunner, but eventually became one of the best in the war, Makos said. Makos said Smoyer, who was nicknamed “Gentle Giant,” showed that heroes didn’t have to have the swaggering image of a John Wayne. In 2019, Author Adam Makos shared Smoyer’s story with the world in his best-selling book “Spearhead.” of the Army, who helped obtain Smoyer’s Bronze Star. He was a humble individual that worked hard his entire life and served his country,” said Daniel Dailey, retired Sgt.

Nearly 75 years after the war ended, he earned a Bronze Star for his service, after a best-selling book chronicled his time in battle. Smoyer, who was born in Parryville and raised in Lehighton, was a tank gunner who took part in the Allied advance into Germany. Clarence Smoyer, the Carbon County native who served heroically during World War II and earned widespread acclaim later in life, died Friday, at the age of 99.

Battle of cologne tank duel