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name
SMITH, Herbert Anthony - Date of
birth
15 January 1914 -
Age
30 - Place of
birth
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia -
Hometown
Henrico County, Virginia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
13033024 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
701st Bombardment Squadron,
445th 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
Suhl, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1 | 34 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Hugh S. Smith (father)
Frances G. Smith (mother)
Joseph E. Smith (brother)
James C. Smith (brother)
Ellen C. Smith (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-52364 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Gotha, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aviation industry
MACR: 2558
More information
T/Sgt Herbert A. Smith graduated from John Marshall High School.He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army in Richmond, Virginia on 24 October 1941. He was sent overseas in October 1943.
At that day, the brother of the co-pilot, Garth B. Larsen, was flying fighter protection for the group. After returning to his base, he talked with the members of his brother's squadron. The told him they saw a German fighter got underneath the plane and it made several strikes and a fire broke out in the tail turret. The plane wheeed out of formation, the waist gunner waved and almost immediately the saw seven parachutes open. The plane didn't explode and didn't go into a spin, but was going down in a gentle dive.
Eight crew members were killed, one survivied and was taken prisoner.
T/Sgt Herbert A. Smith is remembered at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia with a memorial marker.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card, 1940 US Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, The Richmond News - 18 March 1944