Major General Paul B. Wurtsmith
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF)

Background
Paul Bernard Wurtsmith was born on August 9, 1906 to parents Frederick “Fred” Wurtsmith and Ella (née Globensky) Wurtsmith in Detroit, Michigan. He received his elementary education at Holy Redeemer Grammar School and graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan. He then attended the University of Detroit, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in aeronautical engineering.

Prewar Service
During August 1927 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as a flying cadet and earned his pilot wings at Kelly Field in Texas. During June 1928 commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the reserves. In February 1929 assigned to the 94th Pursuit Squadron "Hat in the Ring" based at Selfridge Field and served as an instructor and in command positions. In 1930 he won the Mitchell Trophy Air Race. On June 20, 1941 became a member of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).

World War II History
On December 11, 1941 Lt Col Wurtsmith became the Commanding Officer (C.O.) of the 49th Pursuit Group (49th PG) at Key Field. In early 1942 sent overseas to Australia to defend Darwin. In July 1942 promoted to the rank of Colonel.

On November 11, 1942 became Commanding Officer (C.O.) Headquarters, 5th Fighter Command (V Fighter Command). In February 1943 promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.

On December 8, 1943 assigned B-17F "Well Goddam" 41-24381 as his personal transport.

On January 13, 1944 moved to Nadzab Airfield.

On April 24, 1944 took off piloting P-38J Lightning 42-104004 with P-38J "Marge" 42-104380 piloted by Col. Robert L. Morrissey and were the first American planes to land at newly captured and repaired Tadji Airfield. The pair of Lightnings were photographed parked at the edge of the runway.

During January 1945 became Commanding Officer (C.O.) of the 13th Air Force (13th AF) in the Philippines. During March 1945 promoted to the rank of Major General.

Postwar
In July 1946 assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters at Bolling Field. During September 1946, he was appointed commander of the 8th Air Force based at MacDill Field. On September 12, 1946 took off from MacDill Field aboard a B-25 Mitchell that flew via Bolling Field onward to Selfridge Field to visit his mother and celebrate her 77th birthday.

Fatal Crash
On September 13, 1946 took off from Selfridge Field piloting a B-25 for the return flight but experienced bad weather and while flying below the safe altitude of 6,000' crashed into Cold Mountain around 11:20am roughly 20 miles southwest of Asheville, North Carolina killing everyone aboard on impact.

Memorials
Wurtsmith died on September 13, 1946 at age 40 and had severed 18 years in the military. Five days later, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 3 grave 4022-A-1.

In February 1953, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) named Wurtsmith Air Force Base (Wurtsmith AFB) in his honor in Oscoda, Michigan. The base includes Wurtsmith Air Museum.

Awards
Wurtsmith earned the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) with one oak leaf cluster, the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal, and Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

References
USAF Biographies - Major General Paul Bernard Wurtsmith (photo)
Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Paul Bernard Wurtsmith (grave photos)
FindAGrave - MG Paul Bernard Wurtsmith (photo, grave photo, news)
Cold Mountain Bomber Crash (2005) by Doris Rollins Cannon

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