Staff Sgt. Edmond Howard Smith, Sr
(22 Jan 1919 - 18 Mar 1988)

Crew Member of "Ole Kickapoo" - Right Waist Gunner

Staff Sgt. Edmond H. Smith 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."

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

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."

Staff Sgt. Edmond Howard Smith, Sr (22 Jan 1919 - 18 Mar 1988)

Crew Member of "Ole Kickapoo" - Right Waist Gunner

Staff Sgt. Edmond Howard Smith, Sr
(22 Jan 1919 - 18 Mar 1988)