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name
SMITH, Dale W - Date of
birth
19 April 1917 -
Age
26 -
Place of birth
Wylie, Collin County, Texas -
Hometown
Bernalilo, Sandoval County, New Mexico
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-687713 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
727th Bombardment Squadron,
451st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
5 April 1944 - Place of
death
15 Miles South of Petisti, Romania
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 34 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Homer P. Smith (father)
Zera E. (Mullis) Smith (mother)
Jewell T. Smith (brother)
Lilian G. Smith (sister)
Wesley H. Smith (brother)
Wanda Z. Smith (sister)
Juanita L. Smith (sister)
Harold S. Smith (brother)
Mabel (Jones) Smith (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-64442 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Super Moose
Destination: Ploesti, Romania
MACR: 4081
More information
2nd Lt Dale W. Smith was married to Mabel Jones on 3 April 1939 and worked in a filling station, after leaving his farm.Lt Smith enlisted on 14 August 1942 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and trained at San Antonia, Vernon Texas. He went overseas on 7 December 1943.
Statement from Edward A. Zraick, 1st Lt, Air Corps, Squadron S-2:
"On 5 April 1944, airplane No. 42-64442, with 1st Lt Claremont D. Brownell as pilot, took off as a spare ship in the first attack unit of the 451st Bomber Group. None of the other members of the formation could recall, at interrogation, where the aircraft was last seen, and no information could be obtained concerning whether or not it was shot down by enemy aircraft. As a consequence, undersigned, in the lack of knowledge of what actually happened, listed the ship as Missing."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - New Mexico WWII Record, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Jac Engels, www.ancestry.com - New Mexico WWII Record, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot 43-H Enid Oklahoma