Lee Carraway Smith became interested in the Battle of the Rapido River as the subject of a research project for a college course. As she interviewed "T-Patchers" and dug into archival material, a fascinating and traumatic story began to unfold. The research paper developed into a manuscript as she began to attend annual meetings and talk to the men of the 36th "Texas" Infantry Division. A native of Bellaire, TX, she attended the University of Houston, Navarro College, and the University of Texas at Tyler. She is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, national history fraternity. Mrs. Smith makes her home in Waxahachie, TX with her husband Mike. She has a daughter, Beth, a son, Tate, and multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mrs. Smith passed away in 2020
