 Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Muna August 1917, Smedberg akasimudzirwa kuva colonel uye akagoverwa kutungamirira 305th Infantry Regiment, chimwe chikamu che 77th Division. Akatungamirira chikwata ichi kuburikidza nesangano rayo uye kudzidziswa kuCamp Upton, New York uye kurwisana kwakatevera muFrance. Smedberg akabatanidzwa muOiseAisne uye MeuseArgonneakaenderera mberi achitungamirira kusvika musi wa 23 Gumiguru 1918, paakakwidziridzwa kuva brigadier general wenguva pfupi uye akapiwa basa rekutungamira 77th Divisions 153rd Infantry Brigade. 