John Bernhardt Smith, also known as JB or Jack and as a child Johnny, was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on September 20, 1897. His mother, Karen Johanesen, emigrated from Norway and his father, John Bernhardt Sr, from Sweden. JB had two brothers and five sisters. His mother died in 1904 and he was raised by his older sisters. His father worked as a carpenter to support the family. After the war JB married Margaret Lemke on September 8, 1920 in Eau Claire. They moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he worked for the Internal Revenue Service as head of the accounting division. JB served in the Arm...