Richard E. Smith in October 1943
Richard E. Smith in January 2006
In memory: Richard Eugene Smith
passed away February 19, 2006
in retirement at Andalusia, Alabama |
| Richard
E. Smith |
39th Fighter Squadron P-38 Pilot & 7 victory
Ace
Smith served in the early days of the Pacific air war, flying the Lightning in New Guinea. He is the only known ace pilot who reunited with the very aircraft he once flew, P-38H "Japanese
Sandman II" 42-66905 as the war left it, in New Guinea. Profiled in the Pacific Ghosts CD-ROM, he shares an interview about his wartime experiences:
|
| Flying the P-38 Lightning in Combat |
| Japanese Sandman Nose art &
Nickname |
| Flying in New Guinea |
| Battle of the Bismarck Sea |
| Port Moresby Raid April 12, 1943 |
| Mission over Madang & Double
Victory |
| Flying P-47's & Stateside Flight
Instruction |
| Visiting "Japanese Sandman"
in 1986 |
| 39th Fighter Squadron
Reunions |
| Recovery of Japanese
Sandman |
| Pacific Ghosts CD-ROM & Fan Mail |
| "Snuffy" Smith reunited
with Sandman |
| |
| Richard E. Smith's WWII Victories & Log Book |
Kill |
Date |
Location |
Type |
1 |
Jan 6, 1943 |
Gasmata |
A6M Zero |
2 |
Mar 3, 1943 |
Bismark Sea |
A6M Zero |
3 |
Apr 12, 1943 |
Port Moresby |
G4M1 Betty |
4 & 5 |
July 21, 1943 |
Bogadjim |
Ki-61 Tonys |
6 |
July 23, 1943 |
Lae |
Ki-43 Oscar |
7 |
Sept 23, 1943 |
Finchafen |
Ki-43 Oscar |
|
|