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(12 Jul 1921 -
27 Jan 1942)
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1 Aug 1943)
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Staff Sgt. Edmond Howard Smith, Sr
(22 Jan 1919 - 18 Mar 1988)
Crew
Member of "Ole Kickapoo" - Right Waist Gunner
Edmond
Howard Smith was born on 22 Jan 1919 to Walter Smith and Minnie.
United States Federal Census: Year: 1920; Census Place:
Big Spring, Howard County, Texas; Roll: T625_1817; Page: 14A; Enumeration
District: 114; Image: 718; 13 Jan 1920;
"Walter Smith; Head; Male; White; 33 (~1887); Married; Georgia; Georgia;
Georgia; Laborer; R. R. Shops;
Minnie Smith; Wife; Female; White; 28 (~1892); Married; Arkansas; Arkansas;
Arkansas;
Hubert Smith; Son; Male; White; 10 (~1910); Single; Texas; Georgia; Arkansas;
Thelma Smith; Daughter; Female; White; 9 (~1911); Single; Texas; Georgia;
Arkansas;
Aline Smith; Daughter; Female; White; 6 (~1914); Single; Texas; Georgia;
Arkansas;
Jessie Smith; Daughter; Female; White; 3 (~1917); Single; Texas; Georgia;
Arkansas;
Edmond Smith; Son; Male; White; 11/12 (~1920); Single; Texas; Georgia;
Arkansas."
United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Howard County,
Texas; Roll: 2359; Page: 32B; Enumeration District: 5; Image: 344.0; 13 May
1930;
"Walter E. Smith; Head; Male; White; 43 (~1887); Married; 21 (~1908); Georgia;
Georgia; Georgia; Farmer; Farm;
Mennie M. Smith; Wife; Female; White; 39 (~1891); Married; 21 (~1908); Arkansas;
Arkansas; Georgia;
Hubert N. Smith; Son; Male; White; 20 (~1910); Single; Texas; Georgia; Arkansas;
Aline E. Smith; Daughter; Female; White; 16 (~1914); Single; Texas; Georgia;
Arkansas;
Jessie Mae Smith; Daughter; Female; White; 13 (~1917); Single; Texas; Georgia;
Arkansas;
Edwin H. Smith; Daughter [sic]; Male; White; 11 (~1919); Single; Texas; Georgia;
Arkansas;
James D. Smith; Son; Male; White; 6 (~1924); Single; Texas; Georgia; Arkansas;
Pauline M. Smith; Daughter; Female; White; 4 2/12 (~1926); Single; Texas;
Georgia; Arkansas."
World War II Prisoners
of War, 1941-1946; "Name: Edmond H Smith; Race: White; Residence State: Texas;
Report Date: 1 Aug 1943; Latest Report Date: 23 Oct 1944; Grade: Staff Sergeant;
Grade Notes: Major or Asst. superintendent of nurses or Director of nurses or Director
of dietitians or Director of physical therapy aides or Staff Sergeant or Technician
3d Grade or Lt. Commander or Petty Officer, 2nd Class; Service Branch: Army; Arm
or Service: Air Corps; Arm or Service Code: Air Corps; Organization Type: Heavy
Bomber (B17, B24); Parent Unit Type: Group/Regiment/Commands/System; Area Served:
Middle East Theatre; Detaining Country: Germany; STATUS: Returned to Military Control,
Liberated or Repatriated; Report Source: Individual has been reported through sources
considered official."
U.S.
Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006; Name: Edmond Howard Smith; Service Info.:
T/SGT US AIR FORCE WORLD WAR II; Birth Date: 22 Jan 1919; Death Date: 18 Mar
1988; Service Start Date: 11 Oct 1941; Interment Date: 22 Mar 1988; Cemetery:
Rock Island National Cemetery; Cemetery Address: 1 Arsenal Drive Bldg 118 Rock
Island, IL 61299-7090; Buried At: Section Q Site 121."
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© 2011 by Pamela Moreno and used with permission
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Edmond Howard Smith Sr.; Birth: 22 Jan 1919
in Big Spring, Howard County, Texas, USA; Death: 18 Mar 1988 in Iowa
City, Johnson County, Iowa, USA;
Spouse: Edith M Harrington Smith (1924 - 2002); Inscription: EDMOND
H SMITH SR - TSGT - US AIR FORCE - WORLD WAR II - KOREA - VIETNAM -
JAN 22 1919 - MAR 18 1988; Burial: Rock Island
National Cemetery, Rock Island, Rock Island County, Illinois, USA;
Plot: Q - 121
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Received the Distinguished Unit Citation,
Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart, and the Prisoner of War Medal.
"The President of the United
States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Edmond
H. Smith, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in
connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as
Gunner on a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 564th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment
Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission
on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long
and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude
by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Staff Sergeant Smith acquitted himself
with great skill as his aircraft flew through one of the most heavily defended
areas of Europe. When the plane on which he served was severely damaged, and,
despite the fact that gasoline was streaming from one of its damaged fuel tanks,
continued on, in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Over the blazing
target, Staff Sergeant Smith, with heroic calm and unflinching loyalty, remained
steadfast by his guns. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by
Staff Sergeant Smith on this occasion, even when confronted with practically
certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service
and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States
Army Air Forces."
See also:
First Published: December 9, 2007
Last updated:
January 02, 2013
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