And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Sgt. Arthur L. Smith, Radio Gunner of B-17 "Our Gang", Takes A Look At At The Machine Gun Before A Mission. England, 1943.
Did you mean: Did Sgt. Arthur L. Smith of the US Army Air Corp in WW2 survive the war?
AI Overview Learn more According to available information, Sergeant Arthur L. Smith of the US Army Air Corps during World War II did not survive the war and was killed in action on August 18, 1944, over France. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during a mission against enemy forces. Key points about Sgt. Smith: Medal of Honor recipient: He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during a mission where he sacrificed his life to protect his crew despite being severely wounded. Date of death: August 18, 1944 Location of death: Over France
It was. There is a "mission simulator" at the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum at Pooler, GA. It gives a very slight idea how much wind blew through the AC when the bomb bay doors opened. For the guys in back (radio and aft) the wind was always blowing. I saw one pic of a Waist Gunner, wearing an oxygen mask with a icicle from the exhaust hole in the mask to his waist. It is not a job I would want.
An old friend’s pop was an Ace fighter pilot with the 56th Fighter Squadron. Zenke’s Thunderbolt Wolfpack. Colonel David Carl Schilling. They were bad asses protecting the B24s I think. ET
Did you mean: Did Sgt. Arthur L. Smith of the US Army Air Corp in WW2 survive the war?
ReplyDeleteAI Overview
Learn more
According to available information, Sergeant Arthur L. Smith of the US Army Air Corps during World War II did not survive the war and was killed in action on August 18, 1944, over France. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during a mission against enemy forces.
Key points about Sgt. Smith:
Medal of Honor recipient: He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during a mission where he sacrificed his life to protect his crew despite being severely wounded.
Date of death: August 18, 1944
Location of death: Over France
Find no reference to Arthur L. Smith (or Arthur Smith) at https://www.cmohs.org/
DeleteThe MOH answer was an AI response when I asked google if he survived the war.
DeleteIs the google AI just not honest?
Looks mighty breezy and chilly.
ReplyDeleteIt was. There is a "mission simulator" at the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum at Pooler, GA. It gives a very slight idea how much wind blew through the AC when the bomb bay doors opened. For the guys in back (radio and aft) the wind was always blowing. I saw one pic of a Waist Gunner, wearing an oxygen mask with a icicle from the exhaust hole in the mask to his waist. It is not a job I would want.
DeleteWonder if he made it home......The lives they lost on bomber crews always chokes me up.
ReplyDeleteoops, I should learn to read other responses.
DeleteAn old friend’s pop was an Ace fighter pilot with the 56th Fighter Squadron. Zenke’s Thunderbolt Wolfpack. Colonel David Carl Schilling. They were bad asses protecting the B24s I think. ET
ReplyDelete