669th BS Patch

416th Bombardment Group (L)

2Lt. John David Smith

Pilot,  O-759516

Killed In Training - Aug 30, 1944

669th Bombardment Squadron (L)

 WWII-Medal

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Pilot Wings        Missing Man



  Born: 19-Sep-1921, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Entered Military Service: From: Cook County, Illinois

Buried: Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Plot E Row 2 Grave 42

On-line Memorials:
National World War II Registry     Overseas American Cemeteries
American Battle Monuments Commission Memorial, Certificate
Find-A-Grave


See also 2Lt John David Smith Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF)
(FOIA request fulfilled by Government Information Specialist Bryan K. Jolly, Fort Knox, KY)
 Disclaimer: IDPF files document efforts to locate, identify, move, notify relatives and provide final resting for Soldier Dead,
often months or years after death, thus some pages may contain potentially disturbing or distressing information.
If you are sensitive, please consider whether to read this or not.
 Click Here for information on WWII IDPFs.



 Notes:
Nature of Accident: Mid-air collision. Collision in full flight with other aircraft.

Cause of Accident: Pilot error. Error in judgement.

Description:
Two training accidents which marred our records for the month resulted in the death of two of our newer Pilots. ... Five days later, on the 30th, First Lieutenant Edward L. Miller was leading a two-ship routine training, navigational-formation flight. Second Lieutenant John D. Smith was on his right wing. Apparently trying to cross under Lt. Milller's plane, Lt. Smith hit Lt. Miller's plane, cutting the tail off at the rear turret. Lt. Miller immediately jettisoned his hatch and parachuted to safety. Lt. Smith's plane, however, went into a flat spin and crashed. Lt. Smith was killed. Both Lt. Haney and Lt. Smith were interred in the Cambridge American Military Cemetery, Cambridge, England.
(416th BG History 1944)

See also AAR 45-8-30-523



Photos and Documents
1930 US Census
1940 US Census
Headstone Inscription and Interment Record
Headstone
WW II Army and Army Air Force Casualty List
National World War II Memorial Registry
National World War II Memorial Registry
American Battle Monuments Commission Certificate


Source information can be viewed at WWII Military Service Fatalities Sources