SSgt. Maynard H. Smith, Medal of Honor

http://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/misfit-medal-ofhon...

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Maynard Harrison Smith, Sr., United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 423d Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group (H), 8th Air Force in action on a bombing mission to Brest, France, 1 May 1943. The aircraft of which Sergeant Smith was a gunner was subjected to intense enemy anti-aircraft fire and determined fighter airplane attacks while returning from a mission over enemy-occupied continental Europe on 1 May 1943. The airplane was hit several times by anti-aircraft fire and cannon shells of the fighter airplanes, two of the crew were seriously wounded, the aircraft's oxygen system shot out, and several vital control cables severed when intense fires were ignited simultaneously in the radio compartment and waist sections. The situation became so acute that three of the crew bailed out into the comparative safety of the sea. Sergeant Smith, then on his first combat mission, elected to fight the fire by himself, administered first aid to the wounded tail gunner, manned the waist guns, and fought the intense flames alternately. The escaping oxygen fanned the fire to such intense heat that the ammunition in the radio compartment began to explode, the radio, gun mount, and camera were melted, and the compartment completely gutted. Sergeant Smith threw the exploding ammunition overboard, fought the fire until all the firefighting aids were exhausted, manned the workable guns until the enemy fighters were driven away, further administered first aid to his wounded comrade, and then by wrapping himself in protecting cloth, completely extinguished the fire by hand. This soldier's gallantry in action, undaunted bravery, and loyalty to his aircraft and fellow crewmembers, without regard for his own personal safety, is an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces. General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 38, July 12, 1943

Action Date: May 1, 1943

Service: Army Air Forces

Rank: Sergeant

Company: 423d Bombardment Squadron

Regiment: 306th Bombardment Group (H)

Division: 8th Air Force

   It would be the first Medal of Honor for combat heroism in the air to be presented to a living airman since the award to General Doolittle.

   It would be the first Medal of Honor awarded to an airman for heroism in the European theater of operations.

   It would be the first Medal of Honor in any war in history to be awarded to an enlisted airman.

The first Medal of Honor to be presented by the Secretary of War in the theater of action.

http://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/misfit-medal-ofhon...

http://www.homeofheroes.com/wings/part2/06_smith.html

Snuffy Smith's great-grandfather had been a civil war soldier, a Union Army major who died in captivity as a prisoner of war. Throughout his life Maynard Smith kept and cherished the sword that had belonged to Major Henry Harrison Smith.