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name
SMITH, Francis Harold "Butch" - Date of
birth
11 October 1917 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Preble County, Ohio -
Hometown
Fayette County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35566285 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
566th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 February 1944 - Place of
death
Massbach, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 32 | 14 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Clayton Smith (father)
Ruby M. (Harvey) Smith (mother)
John Smith (brother)
Florence Smith (sister)
Helen Smith (sister)
Charles Smith (brother)
Adelia Smith (sister)
Robert Smith (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-40807 -
Data
Type: B-24D
Destination: Gotha, Germany
MACR: 2940
More information
The aircraft was attacked and hit by German fighters approximately 10 miles past target. Aircraft went into a spin at approximately 12,000 feet. Pilot and copilot remained at controls in a futile attempt to regain control of aircraft and were unable to escape prior to the crash. Four of the other crewmen were able to successfully bail out and were captured.Brockway said that S/Sgt Smith was afraid to jump and refused to leave the plane. He had even fought against Brockway when he tried to push Smith out, so Brockway got ready to jump. He was found dead on the ground.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.389thbg.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Christie Goodfellow