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name
SMITH, Richard Earl - Date of
birth
31 December 1925 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Ohio -
Hometown
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
15407360 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
351st Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 April 1945 - Place of
death
Jemmeritz, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 3 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Owen E. Smith (father)
Nell Goss Smith (mother)
Margie J. Smith (sister)
Byron F. Smith (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38963 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Burg Bei Magdeburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 14170
More information
S/Sgt Richard E. Smith attended Withrow High School and graduated from Automotive High School.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve at Fort Thomas, Newport, Kentucky on 28 April 1944. He had been overseas since January 1945.
The airplane was forced to peel out of the formation with #2 engine feathered, caused by an attack of a ME 262. Then it tried to climb back when again ME 262's began pressing attack. The airplane was hit in the right wing and a large piece flew off. Then#3 & #4 engines burst into flames and it peeled off low to the right. As it went down flames were getting larger and it was believed to hit the ground with a terrific explosion. No parachutes were seen.
Five crew members were killed, four were taken prisoner and one escaped capture.
According to German citizens, his body was found approximately 200 yards from the wreckage and he had his parachute on.
The picture was taken in high school in 1939.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, 100thBombGroup, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com, www.newspapers.com - The Cincinnati Enquirer
Photo source: FOHF, www.ancestry.com - Withrow High school 1939