Medal of Honor: Maynard H. Smith – World War II – May 1, 1943

Name: Maynard H. Smith
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army Air Corps
War: World War II
Unit: 423d Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bomber Group
Date of Action: May 1, 1943
Location: Over Europe

Summary of Action

On 1 May 1943, Sergeant Maynard H. Smith distinguished himself during an air mission over enemy-occupied Europe.

The bomber on which he served as a gunner came under intense anti-aircraft fire and determined fighter attacks while returning from its mission.

The aircraft was struck repeatedly.

Two crewmen were seriously wounded, the oxygen system was destroyed, vital control cables were severed, and simultaneous fires erupted in the radio compartment and waist sections.

The damage was so severe that three members of the crew bailed out over the sea.

Though on his very first combat mission, Smith chose to remain aboard and fight for the aircraft and crew.

Working alone, he battled the flames, administered first aid to the wounded tail gunner, and manned the waist guns whenever enemy fighters attacked.

The escaping oxygen fed the blaze until the heat became extreme.

Ammunition in the radio compartment began exploding.

The radio equipment, gun mount, and camera were melted, and the compartment was gutted by fire.

Smith threw exploding ammunition overboard one piece at a time.

He continued fighting the fire until every firefighting aid aboard the aircraft had been exhausted.

He then returned to the guns until the attacking fighters were driven away.

After again tending the wounded gunner, Smith wrapped himself in protective cloth and smothered the remaining flames with his bare hands.

His courage saved the aircraft, protected the wounded, and helped bring the crew home.

Through fearless devotion to duty, loyalty to his comrades, and complete disregard for his own safety, Maynard H. Smith reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Corps.

Medal of Honor Citation

SMITH, MAYNARD H. (Air Mission)

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. The aircraft of which Sgt. Smith was a gunner was subjected to intense enemy antiaircraft fire and determined fighter airplane attacks while returning from a mission over enemy-occupied continental Europe on 1 May 1943. The airplane was hit several times by antiaircraft fire and cannon shells of the fighter airplanes, 2 of the crew were seriously wounded, the aircraft’s oxygen system shot out, and several vital control cables severed when intense fires were ignited simultaneously in the radio compartment and waist sections. The situation became so acute that 3 of the crew bailed out into the comparative safety of the sea. Sgt. Smith, then on his first combat mission, elected to fight the fire by himself, administered first aid to the wounded tail gunner, manned the waist guns, and fought the intense flames alternately. The escaping oxygen fanned the fire to such intense heat that the ammunition in the radio compartment began to explode, the radio, gun mount, and camera were melted, and the compartment completely gutted. Sgt. Smith threw the exploding ammunition overboard, fought the fire until all the firefighting aids were exhausted, manned the workable guns until the enemy fighters were driven away, further administered first aid to his wounded comrade, and then by wrapping himself in protecting cloth, completely extinguished the fire by hand. This soldier’s gallantry in action, undaunted bravery, and loyalty to his aircraft and fellow crewmembers, without regard for his own personal safety, is an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces.