First Lieutenant John K. Smith O-886141

First Lieutenant John K. Smith O-886141 was from New York. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross Purple Heart and Air Medal with Oak leaf clusters. According to F/O Beverly William Flanagan J18515, First Lieutenant John K. Smith was the skipper for his aircraft. Flanagan said that Lieutenant Smith was an eagle squadron pilot who had to finish his contract with the RAF. Smith could get all the “good stuff” from the US Army PX that the RAF/RCAF guys could not get. Smith made sure that all of his men got American rations and cigarette. 
Flanagan said that he went and talked to Smith’s wife after he got home from the war. Smith earned The American Distinguished Flying Cross on April 18, 1944 the same night that to F/O Flanagan earned the British Distinguished Flying Cross.

The men that were on Lancaster MZ598 on May 8 – 9th 1944 serving in the 426th squadron were:

O-886141 First Lieutenant John K. Smith O-886141 was the Skipper He is also Number 3 in this photo.

P/O Kenneth George Marris 171697 was the navigator on the night of May 8 – 9th 1944, he took F/O Beverly William Flanagan spot on the aircraft because Flanagan “did something stupid and brock his arm.” P/O Marris is not in the photo F/O Flanagan is Number 2 and gave me the photograph.

P/O Vernon Mudford J85719 BA he is in this photo.

P/O Albert Edward Jackson 174250 WAG he is in this photo

P/O G.H. Congreve 174045 FE was the only man able to get out of the aircraft and was able to evade the Germans. He is also in this photo.

P/O Arthur Leslie Horton C85693 MU. He is also in this photo.

WO2 Kenneth Lloyd Schmidt R122560 RG. He is also in this photo.

Sgt Edwin Earle Fairgrieve Park R182855 MG. He is also in this photo.