Henry J. Smith.
Gunner · 409th Squadron · Of Scranton, PA.
The man.
Assigned to 93rd Bomb Group, 409th Sqdn. Flew 25 missions — 16 over France (including D-Day invasion beachhead, June 6, 1944) and nine over Germany. On Sept. 11, 1944 (Magdeburg raid), the plane was hit by flak and caught fire; bailed out and was captured. Held as prisoner of war in Pomerania until Feb. 6, 1945 when the Russian Army invaded; approximately 8,000 Air Force enlisted crew walked 500-600 miles east and south. Liberated at Bitterfeld, Germany on April 26, 1945.
Service record.
Missions flown.
Before and after.
Born Oct. 7, 1924 in Scranton, PA. Volunteered in USAAF Feb. 5, 1943. Gunnery training at Laredo, TX. Assigned to B-24 crew; trained at Peterson Field, Colorado Springs, CO. Flew to Prestwick, Scotland via southern route.
After liberation at Bitterfeld, Germany on April 26, 1945, shipped home and discharged Oct. 31, 1945 as staff sergeant. Received three Air Medals. Earned private pilot license via GI Bill; bought a Navy Stearman biplane. Worked for Commercial Credit Corporation for 38 years; retired May 1986. Married Evelyn on Oct. 4, 1961; two daughters, Kim and Candace.