Medal of Honor: Albert Joseph Smith – U.S. Marine Corps – Peacetime Heroism

Name: Albert Joseph Smith
Rank: Private
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station Pensacola
Place: Pensacola, Florida
Entered Service At: Michigan
Born: 31 July 1898, Calumet, Michigan

Summary of Action

At approximately 7:30 a.m. on 11 February 1921, a seaplane crashed and burst into flames near Gate No. 1 of the Marine Barracks at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Private Albert Joseph Smith was on duty as a sentry when the aircraft struck near his post.

With the wreckage engulfed in flames and the gravity gasoline tank exploding, Smith rushed into the burning debris. One of the occupants, Plen M. Phelps, was pinned beneath the wreckage and unable to escape. Disregarding the violent explosions and intense fire, Private Smith forced his way close enough to reach the trapped sailor and pulled him free.

In the rescue, Smith sustained painful burns to his head, neck, and both hands. His fearless action in the face of certain danger saved a life and reflected extraordinary courage.

Medal of Honor Citation

SMITH, ALBERT JOSEPH

At about 7:30 a.m. on the morning of 11 February 1921, Pvt. Smith, while on duty as a sentry, rescued Plen M. Phelps, late machinist’s mate second class, U.S. Navy, from a burning seaplane which had fallen near his post, gate No. 1, Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. Despite the explosion of the gravity gasoline tank, with total disregard of personal safety, he pushed himself to a position where he could reach Phelps, who was pinned beneath the burning wreckage, and rescued him from the burning plane, in the performance of which he sustained painful burns about the head, neck and both hands.