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name
SMITH, Elmer Leon - Date of
birth
28 December 1916 -
Age
26 -
Place of birth
Ayden, Pitt County, North Carolina -
Hometown
Ayden, Pitt County, North Carolina
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-801097 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Navigator -
Unit
339th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
15 September 1943 - Place of
death
Between Le Pecq and Le Mesnil-le-Roi, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 42 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John R. Smith (father)
Charity L. (Worthington) Smith (mother)
Rosa Smith (sister)
William H. Smith (brother)
Thelma Smith (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-3437 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Excalibur’s Revenge
Destination: Paris, France
Mission: Bombing of the Hispano-Suiza industrial complex
MACR: 726
More information
2nd Lt Elmer L. Smith graduated from East Carolina Teacher’s College.The airplane was critically hit. While initial U.S. military records attributed the loss to German anti-aircraft flak, German fighter records indicate it was claimed as an aerial victory by Staffelkapitän Herbert Huppertz of Jagdgeschwader 2 (JG 2) at an altitude of 7,000 meters. The bomber suffered an in-flight explosion, scattering wreckage between Le Pecq and Le Mesnil-le-Roi. Out of the crew of 10 men , 9 were killed in action.
Lt Smith was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Solers, France.
He is remembered at Caleb Worthington Cemetery in Winterville, North Carolina.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Smith Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Eric B Stone / N Nelson / J Elaine Worthington, https://b17flyingfortress.de/
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy / Eric B Stone / J Elaine Worthington