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name
SMITH, Teddy Albert - Date of
birth
15 January 1916 -
Age
28 - Place of
birth
Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa -
Hometown
Oxford, Lafayette County, Mississippi
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-661039 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
359th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
28 September 1944 - Place of
death
Wittmar, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Phillip M. Smith (father)
Amelia Smith (mother)
Phillip M. Smith, Jr (brother)
Minnie (Byrd) Smith (wife)
Beverly J. Smith (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97187 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Miss Umbriago
Destination: Magdeburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Braunkohle (BRABAG) synthetic oil refinery
MACR: 9410
More information
1st Lt Teddy A. Smith graduated from Tchula High School in 1933 and the University of Mississippi in 1938. He worked as a manager.He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army at Camp Blanding, Florida on 7 November 1941.
The airplane was flying in the low squadron of the Group. There were twelve airplanes in the squadron, of which only two returned to base. The formation was subjected to severe and intense fighter attacks in the vicinity It is definitely established that also this airplane was lost due to these attacks, but no one could be found who could say definitely what happened.
It crashed in the wood of Asse-Denkte, north of Wittmar.
Lt Smith bailed out unarmed. He reached the ground successfully but was shot by German civilians. Also two other crew members were believed to be killed by civilians. Three other were killed in the plane. Only three survived and were taken prisoner.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, 303rdBomberGroup.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: 303rdBomberGroup.com, University of Mississippi 1938