Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Richard Leo Smith Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Cold War; World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army Air Forces/Corps; Air Force
- Unit of Service: 303rd Bomb Group; 1st Scouting Force, 8th Air Force
- Location of Service: England; European Theater
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/80829
Interview / Recording
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About this Item
Title
- Richard Leo Smith Collection
Names
- Smith, Richard Leo
- Jacob Kays
- Steve Aldridge
- Baer, Don
- Planes of Fame Air Museum
Home State
- California
Headings
- - Smith, Richard Leo
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army Air Forces/Corps.
- - Cold War -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Air Force.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army Air Forces/Corps
- Unit of Service: 303rd Bomb Group; 1st Scouting Force, 8th Air Force
- Location of Service: England; European Theater
- Dates of Service: 1941-1952
- Entrance into Service: Commissioned
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran served in 60 combat missions before his 21st birthday 35 missions as a B-17 pilot and 25 as a P-51 pilot. One his 26th P-51 mission, the veteran had to bail out in Ingelmunster, Belgium. Veteran was on the first ship to arrive in New York Harbor after the Germans surrendered. During the Cold War the veteran was part of the Berlin Air Lift.
-
Cold War
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2011-10-01)
- Manuscript: Printed matter [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2011-10)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/80829
Cite as
- Richard Leo Smith Collection (AFC/2001/001/80829), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video