HOWARD'S STORY
First Lieutenant Howard W. Smith
Prologue
Assisted by his nephews, Dale and Bryan Bantam (who lived nearby), Laurence Smith was at work on his farm.
Sometime during the day Laurence looked up to see two official looking cars approaching up the lane. His nephew said later his uncle was frozen in place! Laurence knew it meant terrible news about his only son Howard William Smith.
From that day forward, life on this farm was never the same.
Howard would never come down that lane again. He would never be home again except in spirit.
Because those who gave their lives to save our freedom must not be
forgotten, this is our family's story of a lost son.
These words from the book "The Flying 463rd" with narrative by Harold Rubin express our feelings best:
These words from the book "The Flying 463rd" with narrative by Harold Rubin express our feelings best:
CHILDHOOD
Howard was the second child and only son of Laurence Little and
Una May (Abbott) Smith. He had one sister, Erma Jean Smith (Nicoll)
who was two years older. His childhood was spent on the family farm
which was named ìSpringbrook Farmî, enjoying the large trees and
a natural spring that was unusual for the dry southern Nebraska
countryside. His grandfather, William Porter Smith, was a Civil War
Veteran who served with Co. A, 2nd Missouri Cavalry.*
As a child growing up, Howard was fascinated with flight and his room was decorated with airplanes.
The family home stands abandoned, but an area of one wall in what was Howardís bedroom still displays the original airplane wallpaper.
As a child growing up, Howard was fascinated with flight and his room was decorated with airplanes.
The family home stands abandoned, but an area of one wall in what was Howardís bedroom still displays the original airplane wallpaper.
Howard attended District 26 'Springbook School' and graduated from the
8th Grade in 1936. (See next page)
Like many others who attended District 26, he often rode a pony to school.
Like many others who attended District 26, he often rode a pony to school.
*Early family history has fortunately been compiled by Lela Bantam Fidler in her
book "The Bantam-Smith Connection -- Clippings From My Grandma's Purse
1926-1991". Anyone interested in early family history will want to contact Lela.
HIGH SCHOOL YEARS
Howard attended Long Island Kansas High School and graduated with the Class of 1940. One of his classmates was Wilmer Hogan who was able to give me the facts that follow:
"Because of the distance from his home, Howard rented a little house in town from a family named Culbertson. His roommates were brothers named Frances and Phil Benson.
He was a good athlete and played center on Long Island's six-man football team, one of the first six-man teams in Kansas.
He was quiet but a little mischievous--a very nice person."
Footnote: Wilmer also joined the Army Air Corps, was a bombardier on a B-17. When his plane was shot down he broke his ankle and spent the rest of the war in a German prison camp.
Howard attended Long Island Kansas High School and graduated with the Class of 1940. One of his classmates was Wilmer Hogan who was able to give me the facts that follow:
"Because of the distance from his home, Howard rented a little house in town from a family named Culbertson. His roommates were brothers named Frances and Phil Benson.
He was a good athlete and played center on Long Island's six-man football team, one of the first six-man teams in Kansas.
He was quiet but a little mischievous--a very nice person."
Footnote: Wilmer also joined the Army Air Corps, was a bombardier on a B-17. When his plane was shot down he broke his ankle and spent the rest of the war in a German prison camp.
ENLISTMENT AND TRAINING
Because Howard wanted to fly, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps Reserve in May, 1942. He was not called into active duty until November 6, 1942.
He worked in an aviation factory in Bakersfield, California and had enrolled in Junior College there for the fall term. His sister, Erma Jean, had also moved to California and was working in an aviation factory in Inglewood, California.
He began his pre-flight training as a pilot on November 10, 1942 at Kelley Field near San Antonio, Texas.
On March 21, 1943 he was transferred to Cimarron Field, Oklahoma, to begin his aviation cadet training. His first instructional flight was on his 20th birthday, March 23, 1943. When he completed his primary course, he had a total of 65 hours in the air. Here is an excerpt from a letter he wrote to his parents while in Oklahoma:
Because Howard wanted to fly, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps Reserve in May, 1942. He was not called into active duty until November 6, 1942.
He worked in an aviation factory in Bakersfield, California and had enrolled in Junior College there for the fall term. His sister, Erma Jean, had also moved to California and was working in an aviation factory in Inglewood, California.
He began his pre-flight training as a pilot on November 10, 1942 at Kelley Field near San Antonio, Texas.
On March 21, 1943 he was transferred to Cimarron Field, Oklahoma, to begin his aviation cadet training. His first instructional flight was on his 20th birthday, March 23, 1943. When he completed his primary course, he had a total of 65 hours in the air. Here is an excerpt from a letter he wrote to his parents while in Oklahoma:
On May 25, 1943 he was transferred to Strother A. A. Field, Winfield
Kansas for more training.
On July 30, 1943 he went to Pampa A. A. Field, Pampa, Texas to attend advanced Flying School, graduating with the Class 43-I on Friday, October 1st 1943. Just two pilots received their wings at that time. The other officer was Edward Weiss. He was older than Howard and had a family. His plane was shot down in May, 1944 and he was held as a POW for a period of time.
On September 30, 1943, Howard was given an Honorary Discharge "for the convenience of the US Army" so he could accept a Commission as Second Lieutenant. This is how the Army promoted an enlisted man to Officer's rank.
Pictures of the planes he flew during his training are shown in the SERVICE RECORD kept by his mother.
On July 30, 1943 he went to Pampa A. A. Field, Pampa, Texas to attend advanced Flying School, graduating with the Class 43-I on Friday, October 1st 1943. Just two pilots received their wings at that time. The other officer was Edward Weiss. He was older than Howard and had a family. His plane was shot down in May, 1944 and he was held as a POW for a period of time.
On September 30, 1943, Howard was given an Honorary Discharge "for the convenience of the US Army" so he could accept a Commission as Second Lieutenant. This is how the Army promoted an enlisted man to Officer's rank.
Pictures of the planes he flew during his training are shown in the SERVICE RECORD kept by his mother.
The SERVICE RECORD follows and has been copied just as she wrote
it.
FURLOUGH HOME
After Howard graduated from Flight School and had earned his wings, he came home for a furlough. He was home October 5-11, 1943.
During that time the entire extended family gathered for a picnic. I was six years old and in awe of this strong, handsome soldier. I remember swinging on the tire swing that was tied to a large tree over a creek. Other cousins mention this same memory.
No one knew it would be his last days at home.
Shown with Howard are his mother (Una), Father (Laurence) and sister (Erma Jean).
After Howard graduated from Flight School and had earned his wings, he came home for a furlough. He was home October 5-11, 1943.
During that time the entire extended family gathered for a picnic. I was six years old and in awe of this strong, handsome soldier. I remember swinging on the tire swing that was tied to a large tree over a creek. Other cousins mention this same memory.
No one knew it would be his last days at home.
Shown with Howard are his mother (Una), Father (Laurence) and sister (Erma Jean).
Following his time at home on furlough, Howard was assigned to the
19th Bomb Group in Peyote, Texas. There he took part in advanced
combat training. When the 19th Bomb Group was disbanded he was
assigned to the 463rd Bomb Group, 775th Squadron.
This is a picture of the group that he trained with on the B-17G Flying Fortress airplane: (This is the group with whom he would go overseas)
This is a picture of the group that he trained with on the B-17G Flying Fortress airplane: (This is the group with whom he would go overseas)
Top row left to right: A. J. Brown, Top Turret & Engineer; K. M. Glitch, Radio
Operator; H. F. Scott, Tailgunner; W. A. Taft, Right Waist Gunner; R. M. Anderson,
Left Waist Gunner; H. T. Tripp, Ballturret Gunner.
Front row Officers left to right: Lt. D. W. Borchert, Bombardier and chinturret gunner; Lt. John S. Frazeur, Pilot; 2nd Lt. H. W. Smith, Co-Pilot; 2nd Lt. L. A. Gatz, Navigator.
Howard was the only one in this photo to have been lost. Why? Fate. How? More information is on the next pages.
Others in the front row survived the war without being taken prisoner or shot down. Those in the back row were aboard a plane that was shot down 4 days after Howardís plane was lost. They were able to escape the plane by parachute. All were taken prisoners of war but were returned home in 1945.
I spoke by e-mail with the grandson of John Frazeur. He was searching for more information about his grandfather and could not add any information I didn't already have, nor could I tell him more about his grandfather. He commented on the "cocky 40's attitude" in the grins of Howard and his grandfather. (John S. Frazeur would later serve during the Korean and Viet Nam wars.)
Front row Officers left to right: Lt. D. W. Borchert, Bombardier and chinturret gunner; Lt. John S. Frazeur, Pilot; 2nd Lt. H. W. Smith, Co-Pilot; 2nd Lt. L. A. Gatz, Navigator.
Howard was the only one in this photo to have been lost. Why? Fate. How? More information is on the next pages.
Others in the front row survived the war without being taken prisoner or shot down. Those in the back row were aboard a plane that was shot down 4 days after Howardís plane was lost. They were able to escape the plane by parachute. All were taken prisoners of war but were returned home in 1945.
I spoke by e-mail with the grandson of John Frazeur. He was searching for more information about his grandfather and could not add any information I didn't already have, nor could I tell him more about his grandfather. He commented on the "cocky 40's attitude" in the grins of Howard and his grandfather. (John S. Frazeur would later serve during the Korean and Viet Nam wars.)
OVERSEAS DUTY
When Howard completed the advanced training, his crew was sent to Lakeland, Florida. As part of the 463rd Bombardment Group, 775th Squadron, he flew as co-pilot of a B-17G Flying Fortress plane with the crew pictured on the page just before this one. The Aircraft number was 42-31841.
From Lakeland, the 463rd Bomb Group was sent to join the battle. The ground support crews left on ships and rejoined the air crews at Celone Army Air Base in Italy. The flight crews had stops in South America and Dakar, Africa. A letter (below) from Howard tells his travel until he reached Dakar, Africa. On March 15, 1944 they arrived at the Foggia, Italy airfield.
When Howard completed the advanced training, his crew was sent to Lakeland, Florida. As part of the 463rd Bombardment Group, 775th Squadron, he flew as co-pilot of a B-17G Flying Fortress plane with the crew pictured on the page just before this one. The Aircraft number was 42-31841.
From Lakeland, the 463rd Bomb Group was sent to join the battle. The ground support crews left on ships and rejoined the air crews at Celone Army Air Base in Italy. The flight crews had stops in South America and Dakar, Africa. A letter (below) from Howard tells his travel until he reached Dakar, Africa. On March 15, 1944 they arrived at the Foggia, Italy airfield.
FINAL AIR BASE
This was Howard's last base, in Italy. When a crew was shot down, another crew moved into the tent--often before all of the effects had even been removed.
This was Howard's last base, in Italy. When a crew was shot down, another crew moved into the tent--often before all of the effects had even been removed.
463rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP HISTORY 1944
On the next page are the highlighted missions we can document that Howard flew. Through May 18, 1944 he flew with his original crew
on the original plane 42-31841. (The information is taken from several sources and may in some cases be inaccurate, but it is as close to the actual actions as possible.)
On the next page are the highlighted missions we can document that Howard flew. Through May 18, 1944 he flew with his original crew
on the original plane 42-31841. (The information is taken from several sources and may in some cases be inaccurate, but it is as close to the actual actions as possible.)
While Howardís crew was on a rest, another crew flew that plane and
it was hit and lost on May 24, 1944. The pilot at that time was a Lt. Orf.
All of the crew bailed out and were made prisoners of war, except
for the pilot, who was impaled on a branch of a tree and was killed.
The co-pilot was Ed Weiss, who graduated with Howard from Pilot
School. The entire crew was taken Prisoners of War until 1945 when
they returned safely. After that plane was lost, Howard was promoted
to pilot and flew several different planes, with different crews.
One of the worst missions Howard would have flown prior to June 10 was to Ploesti on May 18, 1944. (This oil field produced 1/3 of all of Germanyís oil supply and was a primary target for the U. S.) Exceedingly bad weather was encountered that morning and the Air Force sent out a recall signal which was received by all groups but the one to which Howard was assigned. Making the lone run on Ploesti, about 150 of Goeringís yellow nose fighters attacked their formation of 35 planes. Six B-17s were lost to flak and the fighters. Finally a large force of P-38ís appeared and drove off the Luftwaffe. If they had not arrived, all of the planes would have been lost. For this and their other missions the Group received a Commendation from the USAAF Commander-in-Chief General Spaatz.
After the loss of the 42-31841 on May 24, 1944, Howard was promoted to Pilot and flew these planes: Pictures and what happened to these planes is found in the APPENDIX to this story. The 4 planes with * after their names were lost.
A/C #42-31832 "The Biggast Bird" 25 May 1944
A/C # 42-97536 No known nickname 26 and 27 May 1944*
A/C # 42-31742 No known Nickname 28 May 1944*
A/C # 31821 "Mary Lou" 31 May 1944*
A/C #42-102909 "Nobody's Baby" 4 June 1944
A/C #42-31809 "Nameless" 6 June 1944*
One of the worst missions Howard would have flown prior to June 10 was to Ploesti on May 18, 1944. (This oil field produced 1/3 of all of Germanyís oil supply and was a primary target for the U. S.) Exceedingly bad weather was encountered that morning and the Air Force sent out a recall signal which was received by all groups but the one to which Howard was assigned. Making the lone run on Ploesti, about 150 of Goeringís yellow nose fighters attacked their formation of 35 planes. Six B-17s were lost to flak and the fighters. Finally a large force of P-38ís appeared and drove off the Luftwaffe. If they had not arrived, all of the planes would have been lost. For this and their other missions the Group received a Commendation from the USAAF Commander-in-Chief General Spaatz.
After the loss of the 42-31841 on May 24, 1944, Howard was promoted to Pilot and flew these planes: Pictures and what happened to these planes is found in the APPENDIX to this story. The 4 planes with * after their names were lost.
A/C #42-31832 "The Biggast Bird" 25 May 1944
A/C # 42-97536 No known nickname 26 and 27 May 1944*
A/C # 42-31742 No known Nickname 28 May 1944*
A/C # 31821 "Mary Lou" 31 May 1944*
A/C #42-102909 "Nobody's Baby" 4 June 1944
A/C #42-31809 "Nameless" 6 June 1944*
FINAL DAY: JUNE 10, 1944.
On June 10, 1944 Howard was assigned to pilot A/C #42-37997 "Miss Behaven". This is an earlier photo of the actual plane:
On June 10, 1944 Howard was assigned to pilot A/C #42-37997 "Miss Behaven". This is an earlier photo of the actual plane:
Top Row L - R: Hugh Diggins; Grover Jenkins; Scott Rousseau; George Wray; Lloyd Upchurch;
Front Row L - R: Malcolm Coulman; Kent Polkinghorne; Frank Gilbert; Edward Biga; John Palmer
All of the highlighted names are men who were on the plane with Howard on June 10th, 1944. Not
shown is Joseph Russo, who was the 10th man on the crew. All 10 were lost.
On June 10, 1944, led by their commander, Major Allyn, the "Irish
Orphans" with 27 planes flying in formation dropped 81 tons of
bombs on the Mestre, Italy marshalling yards. One plane (Howard's)
did not return.
The account given in the above Army Status Letter differs from the
classified Missing in action reports (MACRs) that follow. In 1944 the
Army did not tell all that it knew.
Damaged? The plane exploded in mid-air!
Damaged? The plane exploded in mid-air!
The 1944 published report indicated ìfive chutes left the plane before
it crashed into the sea. P-38ís went down to drop life rafts for the
men.î (We know this didnít happen). But when Air-Sea rescue arrived
none of the men were to be found.î However, the MACR reports
gave no indication that any airmen were alive when the parachutes
were blown out of the plane as it exploded.
Crew aboard the plane with Howard:
Crew aboard the plane with Howard:
The asterisks in front of the name indicated Missing in Action and the crosses
indicated Killed in action. This list was taken from a book that was printed after
the war ended.
According to Army Air Corps procedures Howard, as pilot, would have been the last one to leave the plane if there had been time for anyone to do so.
Eye witness accounts by airmen in other planes have been de- classified. They are known as MACRs (Missing Air Crew Reports) and now can be found on the internet. A transcribed copy of MACR #5846 is included in the appendix of this story.
Statement given by Staff Sgt. Jack Raille:
"The first time I noticed Ship No. 48-37997, the whole right wing was leaking gas. There was a trail of black smoke from number 4 engine. I noticed the right wing burning and the plane fell out of formation. A few seconds later the right wing fell off and the ship exploded. I saw 5 chutes open, I believe these to have been blown out of the ship."
According to Army Air Corps procedures Howard, as pilot, would have been the last one to leave the plane if there had been time for anyone to do so.
Eye witness accounts by airmen in other planes have been de- classified. They are known as MACRs (Missing Air Crew Reports) and now can be found on the internet. A transcribed copy of MACR #5846 is included in the appendix of this story.
Statement given by Staff Sgt. Jack Raille:
"The first time I noticed Ship No. 48-37997, the whole right wing was leaking gas. There was a trail of black smoke from number 4 engine. I noticed the right wing burning and the plane fell out of formation. A few seconds later the right wing fell off and the ship exploded. I saw 5 chutes open, I believe these to have been blown out of the ship."
