1st Lt. John C. Smith
475th Fighter Group (475th FG), 433rd Fighter Squadron (433rd FS)
P-38 Lightning pilot and ace
Background
John Clay Smith was born February 11, 1920 to parents Arthur Mercer Smith and Lucy Gladys (née McCormick) Smith the eldest of four children in Sciotoville, a neighborhood in Portsmouth, Ohio Scioto County, Ohio. He graduated from Sciotoville High School (Portsmouth East High School) class of 1938 and was a multi-sport star for the Tartans. He enrolled in Ohio State and was a member of the track team and swim team and completed two years of college. He worked as a skilled painters, construction and maintenance.
Wartime History
On November 12, 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army reserves as a private with serial number 35214658 in Huntington, West Virginia. Afterwards, joined the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as an aviation cadet and graduated from flight school at Luke Field, Arizona. On January 4, 1943 earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-736392. Initially, assigned to the 2nd Photo Group, 7th Photo Squadron. Afterwards, sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
On July 10, 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels", 433rd Fighter Squadron (433rd FS) "Possum" as a fighter pilot. Smith was assigned P-38H 42-66843 that he possibly nicknamed "Old Malarkey".
On September 2, 1943 took off from North Borio Airfield (Dobodura No. 15) piloting P-38H Lightning 42-66538 on a mission to escort B-25D Mitchells over Wewak. Over the target, Smith claimed two enemy aircraft shot down, a Ki-43 Oscar and an unknown twin engined aircraft. After the air combat, Smith got lost and thought he was flying south of Wewak, and believed his compass was faulty. He then attempted reach Marilinan and was in contact with Benabena via radio but became lost, ran out of fuel and force landed in a swamp near Arufi near the Fly River. During the landing, the P-38 impacted several small trees before it stopped but was otherwise undamaged in the crash. Smith was later rescued and returned to duty and was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
On October 15, 1943 took off from North Borio Airfield (Dobodura No. 15) piloting P-38H Lightning 42-66857 on a mission to intercept an incoming Japanese air raid against Allied shipping in Oro Bay. During the air combat, he claims a Ki-43 Oscar, his second aerial victory.
On October 17, 1943 took off from North Borio Airfield (Dobodura No. 15) piloting P-38H Lightning 42-66521 on a mission to to intercept a large group of Japanese planes inbound to strike Oro Bay. During the air combat, he claimed two A6M Zeke over Cape Ward Hunt, his third and fourth aerial victories.
On October 23, 1943 took off from North Borio Airfield (Dobodura No. 15) piloting P-38H Lightning 42-66539 on a mission over Rabaul. During the air combat, claims a Ki-43 Oscar, his fifth aerial victory and became an ace.
On October 29, 1943 took off from North Borio Airfield (Dobodura No. 15) piloting P-38H Lightning 42-66533 on a mission over Rabaul. During the air combat, claims a Zero, his sixth aerial victory.
On November 9, 1943 took off from North Borio Airfield (Dobodura No. 15) piloting P-38H Lightning 42-66596 on a mission to provide low cover between 6,000' to 8,000' for B-25 Mitchells from the 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG) on a strike mission against Alexishafen Airfield. The escort also included twelve P-38 Lightnings from the 432nd Fighter Squadron (432nd FS) "Clover". After the B-25s finished their strike against Alexishafen Airfield, Roberts radioed to release drop tanks. At 10:15am the P-38s engaged between 15-25 enemy fighters including Ki-43 Oscars and Ki-61 Tonys over Sek Harbor off Alexishafen. In the confused dog fight at low level, fighter aircraft seemed to be everywhere. Major Charles H. MacDonald noticed a P-38 in trouble below him. The Lightning was burning and its booms were coming apart before it crashed near the shore and he believed the pilot was likely Lt. Smith. When Smith failed to return, he was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA).
Recovery of Remains
After the crash, the Japanese buried the remains of the pilot in a grave at the crash site. During 1949, American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) visited the crash site and located an isolated burial nearby and found aircraft part numbers. According
to natives: "The plane crashed as a result
of an
air battle.
Skeletal
remains
of two
bodies
were found near the wreckage of the plane." Possibly, these remains were the remains of the Ki-43 pilot and Smith, or were only one set of remains or another unrelated burials.
Aerial Victory Claims
Smith was officially credited with six aerial victories between September 9, 1943 until October 29, 1943. Other sources list his score as seven victories, likely counting the Ki-43 Oscar he likely collided with when loss, but neither was officially credited.
Memorials
Smith was officially declared dead the day of the mission. During August 1950, he was permanently buried at Memorial Burial Park in Wheelersburg, OH.
Awards
Smith earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with oak cluster, Air Medal with three oak clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously.
Relatives
Gladys Katheryn Smith born 1923 (sister)
Lynn Mercer Smith born 1924 (sister)
Earl Ray “Bill” Smith born 1926 (brother)
Paula (néeSmith) Sturgeon (niece)
RS (great nephew)
References
Portsmouth Public Library - The Arrow Yearbook 1938 (Sciotoville High School Yearbook) [PDF] pages 5, 6 (Seniors photo), 10
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John C. Smith
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Smith, John C. page 175 (PDF page 182)
Missing Air Crew Report 1259 (MACR 1259) for P-38H 42-66843 contains references to John C. Smith's status as KIA, and recommends his status changed to MIA based on the statement of 2nd Lt. Jack A. Fisk.
X File X-000021 (Manus) UNK
X-575, Unknown X8 Finsch #1
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-38H Lightning 42-66596
FindAGrave - John Clay Smith (grave)
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 65 (475th FG, 433rd FS), 361 (Smith, John C.)
Possum, Clover & Hades 475th Fighter Group in World War II (2004) pages 96-98 (November 9, 1943), 289 (losses), 295 (475th FG aircraft), 309 (Aerial victory claims 11/09/43 432nd FS / 433rd FS), 333 (index Smith)
(Page 96) "While he was over Alexishafen Strip [Major Charles H.] MacDonald noticed a P-38 in trouble below him. The Lightning was burning and its booms were coming apart before it finally crashed near the shore. Pressing combat demands on all sides permitted only the briefest moment of sorrow for the unlucky pilot who certainly died in the crash.
The pilot of the P-38 was most likely Lieutenant John Smith who probably pressed his luck once again and paid the price often demanded of the brave."
Thanks to Sturgeons and RS for additional information
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