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The first enlisted man in the Army Air Corps awarded the Medal of Honor
by Woodi Ishmael
Sgt. Smith received his Medal of Honor for action over enemy-occupied Europe on May 1, 1943. When the aircraft on which he was a gunner was hit by enemy fire and set ablaze, the sergeant threw exploding ammunition overboard, manned workable guns until German fighters were driven off, administered first aid to a wounded comrade, and, wrapping himself in a protective cloth, completely extinguished the fire by hand.
Homeward Bound from St. Nazaire by Keith Hill, 1993
CITATION
SMITH, MAYNARD H. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization. Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 423d Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bomber Group. Place and date: Over Europe, 1 May 1943. Entered service at: Cairo, Mich. Born: 1911, Cairo Mich. G.O. No.: 38, 12 July 1943. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. The aircraft of which Sgt. Smith was a gunner was subjected to intense enemy antiaircraft 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 antiaircraft fire and cannon shells of the fighter airplanes, 2 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 3 of the crew bailed out into the comparative safety of the sea. Sgt. 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. Sgt. 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.
Sgt. Maynard Smith Receiving Congressional Medal of Honor - July 20, 1943
United States Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson presents the Congressional Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Maynard Smith, of Caro, Michigan, at an American Bomber station in England. Sergeant Smith, gunner of a flying fortress, single handed fought a wounded crew mate and manned two gun stations.
Staff Sergeant Maynard H. Smith May 26, 1943
Staff Sergeant Maynard H. Smith, of Caro, Michigan, is the first enlisted man in the European Theater of operations to be recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor. his amazing cool-headedness and bravery after a Flying Fortress raid on St. Nazaire earns him that honor. with three members of the crew baled out, Sergeant Smith managed to administer aid to the wounded tail gunner, blast at Nazis from the two waist guns, and fight fire and removing popping ammunition all at once. Sergeant smith was tail gunner and completely cut off from the pilot and co-pilot. his fire fighting and first aide action saved his ship and the lives of all aboard.
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