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name
SMITH, Darvin Alvin - Date of
birth
30 June 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Collinsville, Madison County, Michigan -
Hometown
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-687715 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
367th Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 May 1944 - Place of
death
Darp, the Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| O | 14 | 7 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Peter E. Smith (father)
Marcella Smith (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-97259 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Our Baby
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 4554
More information
Darvin Smithwas a clerk.He joined the Regular Army in Detroit, Michigan on 16 October 1941.
Due to engine trouble, the pilot tried to make an emergency landing at the German airfield at Havelte, but three three flak guns around the airfield ignored the SOS signal (wheels down) of the plane and did fire at the B-17 not allowing it to land safely. As a result it crashed. Immediately the entire airplane was on fire. The entire crew of ten men was killed.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.findagrave.com - TxOma, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, TxOma, www.facebook.com - Daniel Bon