WWII Pilot Flew Over 132 Missions

After serving three tours in Europe during WWII, surviving a German prison camp, and a distinguished career as an aerospace engineer, USAF Captain Luther H. Smith, Jr. (retired) died on Dec 9 in PA.

In the 2006 documentary On Freedom's Wings: Bound for Glory, the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, Smith recalled being inspired by Charles Lindberg's transatlantic flight. "From very early in life, I wanted to be an aviator," said Smith.

After previously completing the Civilian Pilot Training Program, Smith was accepted into the first military aviation training offered to Africa-American men as a part of the now-famous "Tuskegee Experiment" at Tuskegee Airfield in Alabama. During the war, Smith flew a P-51 Mustang escorting B-24 Liberators and B-17 Flying Fortresses on 133 bombing missions in Europe.

Smith was injured when he bailed out of his P-51 in 1944 and was captured by German troops.  He underwent major surgery in German hospitals and spent seven months in a prison camp. The injuries were so severe that he was eventually discharged in 1947.

Photo Credit: USAF

During his military service, Smith earned numerous awards and commendations including: the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, eight European and Mediterranean Theaters Campaign Ribbons and the Prisoner of War Medal. In 2007 he was among some 300 Tuskegee Airmen who received the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress.

After his military service, Smith worked for General Electric where he published numerous papers and was awarded two patents during his 37-year career.  He also earned a Masters Degree in Engineering from Penn State, chaired the local chapter of the NAACP, was division chairman for the Society of Automotive Engineers Aerospace International, and served on boards for a local college and school districts

Capt. Smith is survived by his wife Lois G. Smith, son Gordon L. Smith, daughter Deborah Smith, and four of his eight siblings.

FMI: http://www.TuskegeeAirmen.org