Robert E. Smith
Encyclopedia
Robert E. Smith was an American
pilot
who flew in World War II
the Korean War
and the Vietnam War, serving in the Army Air Corps, the United States Air Force
and the Royal Air Force
during his career.
entering into war with Imperial Japan, Smith dropped out of The Citadel
to become "A Yank in the RAF" and begin flying with the famed Eagle squadron
in England
.
In 1942, a telegram was sent home to his family in Norfolk, Virginia
informing them that Smith was shot down over France
and was MIA
, presumed to be KIA
. In fact, Smith ran out of fuel and was forced to ditch his plane following a bomber escort mission gone awry. The squadron had been blown several hundred miles off course and were unable to return to their bases in England. Smith survived for 4 months in enemy territory (In spite of being unable to speak German
or French
). Using the railways and various disguises, Smith worked his way toward the friendly territory. In the dead of winter, he crossed the Pyrenees
, only to be captured and tortured in a Spanish prison before being released. His adventures are chronicled in Aircraft Down! Evading Capture in WWII Europe by Philip D. Caine (1997 Brassey's; Dulles, VA) ISBN 9781574880861.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
who flew in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and the Vietnam War, serving in the Army Air Corps, the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
during his career.
Service in WWII
In 1941, on the cusp of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
entering into war with Imperial Japan, Smith dropped out of The Citadel
The Citadel (military college)
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, also known simply as The Citadel, is a state-supported, comprehensive college located in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. It is one of the six senior military colleges in the United States...
to become "A Yank in the RAF" and begin flying with the famed Eagle squadron
Eagle squadron
The Eagle Squadrons were 3 fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force formed during World War II with volunteer pilots from the United States...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
In 1942, a telegram was sent home to his family in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
informing them that Smith was shot down over France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and was MIA
Missing in action
Missing in action is a casualty Category assigned under the Status of Missing to armed services personnel who are reported missing during active service. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave can be positively...
, presumed to be KIA
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
. In fact, Smith ran out of fuel and was forced to ditch his plane following a bomber escort mission gone awry. The squadron had been blown several hundred miles off course and were unable to return to their bases in England. Smith survived for 4 months in enemy territory (In spite of being unable to speak German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
or French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
). Using the railways and various disguises, Smith worked his way toward the friendly territory. In the dead of winter, he crossed the Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
, only to be captured and tortured in a Spanish prison before being released. His adventures are chronicled in Aircraft Down! Evading Capture in WWII Europe by Philip D. Caine (1997 Brassey's; Dulles, VA) ISBN 9781574880861.
Service in the Korean War
Smith flew 117 missions during the Korean campaign. His Air Force moniker was "Big Dog".Awards and medals
Smith's awards include:
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
with oak leaf cluster
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with four oak leaf clusters
See also
- List of Korean War veterans who are recipients of the Bronze Star