John Smith (flying ace)

John Lucian Smith was born on December 26, 1914, in Lexington, Oklahoma. He attended the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps, graduating in May 1936. During the same month, he was appointed a second lieutenant in the Army Field Artillery, but resigned in July that year to accept a commission in the United States Marine Corps as a second lieutenant.

Major John L. Smith, Major Robert E. Galer, and Captain Marion E. Carl pose for a photo after being awarded Navy Crosses for their actions at Guadalcanal

After receiving his Marine Corps commission, he was ordered to Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he attended the Marine Basic School.

Following various duty assignments at Quantico, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, in 1937, he was transferred to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola in July 1938 to begin flight training. A year later he graduated and was designated a Naval Aviator.[1]

During the crucial battle for the Solomons, he led Marine Fighter Squadron 223 (VMF-223) on sorties against the enemy, during which the squadron accounted for 83 enemy aircraft destroyed.[2]

Major John L. Smith, Lieutenant Colonel Richard C. Mangrum, and Captain Marion E. Carl pose for photos after returning to the United States after service in the Cactus Air Force at Guadalcanal in 1942

A complete list of Smith's medals and decorations includes: the Medal of Honor; the Legion of Merit with Combat "V;" the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Bronze Star with Combat "V;" the Air Medal with three Gold Stars, indicative of four awards; the Navy Presidential Unit Citation; the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon with one bronze star; the American Defense Service Medal with Base clasp; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver star, indicative of five bronze stars; the American Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal with European clasp; the National Defense Service Medal; Distinguished Service Order; the Korean Service Medal with one bronze star; the United Nations Service Medal; the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star; the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation; and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

Smith was featured on the cover of the 7 December 1942 issue of Life Magazine.[2]

Major John L. Smith, USMC in an aircraft cockpit at Naval Air Station, Anacostia, Washington D.C. in November 1942

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and heroic achievement in aerial combat above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO TWENTY-THREE, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, August – September, 1942. Repeatedly risking his life in aggressive and daring attacks, Major Smith led his squadron against a determined force, greatly superior in numbers, personally shooting down sixteen Japanese planes between August 21 and September 15, 1942. In spite of the limited combat experience of many of the pilots of this squadron, they achieved the notable record of a total of eighty-three enemy aircraft destroyed in this period, mainly attributable to the thorough training under Major Smith and to his intrepid and inspiring leadership. His bold tactics and indomitable fighting spirit and the valiant and zealous fortitude of the men of his command not only rendered the enemy's attacks ineffective and costly to them but contributed to the security of our advance base. His loyal and courageous devotion to duty sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

/S/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

• Cactus Air Force – VMF-223, with Smith in command, was a part of the Cactus Air Force based out of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

• "Colonel John Lucian Smith, USMC, Who's Who in Marine Corps History, History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2006-07-15". Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
• "Maj John L. Smith, Medal of Honor, 1942, Marine Fighting Squadron 223, Solomon Islands, Medal of Honor citation. Retrieved on 2006-07-15". Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved September 29, 2010.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Lucian Smith.

• "John L. Smith – Guadalcanal Ace". USMC Aces of World War Two. AcePilots.com. Retrieved 2006-07-15.
• "John Smith". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-02-02.