The Native documentary, William Smith - A Warrior in Time, was selected to be screened at the 2022 Beloit International Film Festival on March 5-6 in downtown Beloit, WI. The documentary shares Bill's story of growing up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, going to residential boarding school, joining the Army with his cousins, and his experiences in Vietnam, Philippines, and elsewhere.
Student Director Tessa Applegren sifted through over five hours of audio/video files to create a video that perfectly captures Bill's dedication to service to others, the importance of his Native community, and his love for his wife and family.
Unfortunately, Bill never saw the completed project. He passed away in late 2020, a few months after being interviewed by the Harlem Veteran Project film crew.
Native veterans have played a vital role in the U.S. military for over 200 years. Bill Smith followed his Lakota family's tradition of service and was a positive role model in a Native community that has too few of them.