Oliver Houston Smith and Viola Georgia Richmond were married in 1913 in Adams county, IL. They were the parents of at least three children; Dorothea Catherine, Edward Oliver, and George Arthur Smith.
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Edward enlisted as a Private, USMC, on 19 Sep 1940 at the Central Recruit Division (CRD), DHS, Kansas City, MO. The same day he was put on a train for the Recruit Depot, Marine Base, San Diego, CA where he was assigned to the Third Recruit Battalion. On 8 Nov 1940 he qualified as a marksman. Shortly after that he completed recruit training and on 16 Nov he was assigned to the Marine Utility Squadron Two, 2nd Marine Air Group (MAG-2), Fleet Marine Force (FMF), NAS, San Diego. In Jan 1941 his unit was repositioned to the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, HI. A short time later the squadron was moved to Ewa, Oahu, T.H. On 12 April was ill and sent to the US Naval Hospital at the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor until 30 April 1941. On 07 Jan 1942 Private Smith was transferred to VMSB-231. He was later promoted to Private First Class. On the morning of 4 Jun 1942 PFC Smith was a gunner aboard a Dauntless SBD-2 dive bomber piloted by 2nd Lt Harold Gilbert "Gil" Schlendering. After taking off from the Naval Air Station, Midway Lt Schlendering followed his flight leader as they headed toward the Japanese Strike Force that was approaching Midway. As they made visual contact of the enemy and began their dive, enemy fighters began slashing attacks that was followed by intense anti-aircraft fire from the ships below. One by one the marine dive bombers were shot down. Lt Schlendering somehow managed to follow through with is attack run, release his bomb and find some friendly cloud cover to escape. His plane however had been shot full of holes. He was able to make it to with 10 miles of Midway when his engine finally quit. He tried to contact his gunner but Smith did not respond. Lt Schlendering bailed out and swam to a nearby reef, where he was picked up by a PT boat. His plane had crashed into the sea taking PFC Smith with it. His remains were unrecoverable. He was listed as missing in action on 04 Jun 1942 and pronounced officially dead on 5 Jun 1943. He was awarded posthumously a Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple Heart and a Presidential Unit Citation.
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Distinguished Flying Cross citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Edward Oliver Smith (MCSN: 296050), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Radioman-Gunner in Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (VMSB-241), during the Battle of Midway, 4 and 5 June 1945. In a determined attack against the invading Japanese Fleet, Corporal Webb, serving as rear-seat free machine-gunner, maintained fire in the face of overwhelming enemy fighter opposition and fierce anti-aircraft barrage. Because of circumstances attendant upon this engagement, there can be little doubt that he gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 311
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Marine Air Group 22 Presidential Unit Citation:
"For conspicuous courage and heroism in combat at Midway Island during June 1942. Outnumbered five to one, Marine Aircraft Group 22 boldly intercepted a heavily escorted enemy bombing force, disrupting their attack and preventing serious damage to island installations. Operating with half of their dive-bomber's obsolete and in poor mechanical conditions, which necessitated vulnerable glide bombing tactics, they succeeded in inflicting heavy damage on Japanese surface units of a large enemy task force. The skill and gallant perseverance of flight and ground personnel of Marine Aircraft Group 22, fighting under tremendously adverse and dangerous conditions were essential factors in the unyielding defense of Midway."
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Edward enlisted as a Private, USMC, on 19 Sep 1940 at the Central Recruit Division (CRD), DHS, Kansas City, MO. The same day he was put on a train for the Recruit Depot, Marine Base, San Diego, CA where he was assigned to the Third Recruit Battalion. On 8 Nov 1940 he qualified as a marksman. Shortly after that he completed recruit training and on 16 Nov he was assigned to the Marine Utility Squadron Two, 2nd Marine Air Group (MAG-2), Fleet Marine Force (FMF), NAS, San Diego. In Jan 1941 his unit was repositioned to the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, HI. A short time later the squadron was moved to Ewa, Oahu, T.H. On 12 April was ill and sent to the US Naval Hospital at the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor until 30 April 1941. On 07 Jan 1942 Private Smith was transferred to VMSB-231. He was later promoted to Private First Class. On the morning of 4 Jun 1942 PFC Smith was a gunner aboard a Dauntless SBD-2 dive bomber piloted by 2nd Lt Harold Gilbert "Gil" Schlendering. After taking off from the Naval Air Station, Midway Lt Schlendering followed his flight leader as they headed toward the Japanese Strike Force that was approaching Midway. As they made visual contact of the enemy and began their dive, enemy fighters began slashing attacks that was followed by intense anti-aircraft fire from the ships below. One by one the marine dive bombers were shot down. Lt Schlendering somehow managed to follow through with is attack run, release his bomb and find some friendly cloud cover to escape. His plane however had been shot full of holes. He was able to make it to with 10 miles of Midway when his engine finally quit. He tried to contact his gunner but Smith did not respond. Lt Schlendering bailed out and swam to a nearby reef, where he was picked up by a PT boat. His plane had crashed into the sea taking PFC Smith with it. His remains were unrecoverable. He was listed as missing in action on 04 Jun 1942 and pronounced officially dead on 5 Jun 1943. He was awarded posthumously a Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple Heart and a Presidential Unit Citation.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Distinguished Flying Cross citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Edward Oliver Smith (MCSN: 296050), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Radioman-Gunner in Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (VMSB-241), during the Battle of Midway, 4 and 5 June 1945. In a determined attack against the invading Japanese Fleet, Corporal Webb, serving as rear-seat free machine-gunner, maintained fire in the face of overwhelming enemy fighter opposition and fierce anti-aircraft barrage. Because of circumstances attendant upon this engagement, there can be little doubt that he gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 311
--------------------------------------------------
Marine Air Group 22 Presidential Unit Citation:
"For conspicuous courage and heroism in combat at Midway Island during June 1942. Outnumbered five to one, Marine Aircraft Group 22 boldly intercepted a heavily escorted enemy bombing force, disrupting their attack and preventing serious damage to island installations. Operating with half of their dive-bomber's obsolete and in poor mechanical conditions, which necessitated vulnerable glide bombing tactics, they succeeded in inflicting heavy damage on Japanese surface units of a large enemy task force. The skill and gallant perseverance of flight and ground personnel of Marine Aircraft Group 22, fighting under tremendously adverse and dangerous conditions were essential factors in the unyielding defense of Midway."
Oliver Houston Smith and Viola Georgia Richmond were married in 1913 in Adams county, IL. They were the parents of at least three children; Dorothea Catherine, Edward Oliver, and George Arthur Smith.
---------------------------------------------------------
Edward enlisted as a Private, USMC, on 19 Sep 1940 at the Central Recruit Division (CRD), DHS, Kansas City, MO. The same day he was put on a train for the Recruit Depot, Marine Base, San Diego, CA where he was assigned to the Third Recruit Battalion. On 8 Nov 1940 he qualified as a marksman. Shortly after that he completed recruit training and on 16 Nov he was assigned to the Marine Utility Squadron Two, 2nd Marine Air Group (MAG-2), Fleet Marine Force (FMF), NAS, San Diego. In Jan 1941 his unit was repositioned to the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, HI. A short time later the squadron was moved to Ewa, Oahu, T.H. On 12 April was ill and sent to the US Naval Hospital at the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor until 30 April 1941. On 07 Jan 1942 Private Smith was transferred to VMSB-231. He was later promoted to Private First Class. On the morning of 4 Jun 1942 PFC Smith was a gunner aboard a Dauntless SBD-2 dive bomber piloted by 2nd Lt Harold Gilbert "Gil" Schlendering. After taking off from the Naval Air Station, Midway Lt Schlendering followed his flight leader as they headed toward the Japanese Strike Force that was approaching Midway. As they made visual contact of the enemy and began their dive, enemy fighters began slashing attacks that was followed by intense anti-aircraft fire from the ships below. One by one the marine dive bombers were shot down. Lt Schlendering somehow managed to follow through with is attack run, release his bomb and find some friendly cloud cover to escape. His plane however had been shot full of holes. He was able to make it to with 10 miles of Midway when his engine finally quit. He tried to contact his gunner but Smith did not respond. Lt Schlendering bailed out and swam to a nearby reef, where he was picked up by a PT boat. His plane had crashed into the sea taking PFC Smith with it. His remains were unrecoverable. He was listed as missing in action on 04 Jun 1942 and pronounced officially dead on 5 Jun 1943. He was awarded posthumously a Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple Heart and a Presidential Unit Citation.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Distinguished Flying Cross citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Edward Oliver Smith (MCSN: 296050), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Radioman-Gunner in Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (VMSB-241), during the Battle of Midway, 4 and 5 June 1945. In a determined attack against the invading Japanese Fleet, Corporal Webb, serving as rear-seat free machine-gunner, maintained fire in the face of overwhelming enemy fighter opposition and fierce anti-aircraft barrage. Because of circumstances attendant upon this engagement, there can be little doubt that he gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 311
--------------------------------------------------
Marine Air Group 22 Presidential Unit Citation:
"For conspicuous courage and heroism in combat at Midway Island during June 1942. Outnumbered five to one, Marine Aircraft Group 22 boldly intercepted a heavily escorted enemy bombing force, disrupting their attack and preventing serious damage to island installations. Operating with half of their dive-bomber's obsolete and in poor mechanical conditions, which necessitated vulnerable glide bombing tactics, they succeeded in inflicting heavy damage on Japanese surface units of a large enemy task force. The skill and gallant perseverance of flight and ground personnel of Marine Aircraft Group 22, fighting under tremendously adverse and dangerous conditions were essential factors in the unyielding defense of Midway."
---------------------------------------------------------
Edward enlisted as a Private, USMC, on 19 Sep 1940 at the Central Recruit Division (CRD), DHS, Kansas City, MO. The same day he was put on a train for the Recruit Depot, Marine Base, San Diego, CA where he was assigned to the Third Recruit Battalion. On 8 Nov 1940 he qualified as a marksman. Shortly after that he completed recruit training and on 16 Nov he was assigned to the Marine Utility Squadron Two, 2nd Marine Air Group (MAG-2), Fleet Marine Force (FMF), NAS, San Diego. In Jan 1941 his unit was repositioned to the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, HI. A short time later the squadron was moved to Ewa, Oahu, T.H. On 12 April was ill and sent to the US Naval Hospital at the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor until 30 April 1941. On 07 Jan 1942 Private Smith was transferred to VMSB-231. He was later promoted to Private First Class. On the morning of 4 Jun 1942 PFC Smith was a gunner aboard a Dauntless SBD-2 dive bomber piloted by 2nd Lt Harold Gilbert "Gil" Schlendering. After taking off from the Naval Air Station, Midway Lt Schlendering followed his flight leader as they headed toward the Japanese Strike Force that was approaching Midway. As they made visual contact of the enemy and began their dive, enemy fighters began slashing attacks that was followed by intense anti-aircraft fire from the ships below. One by one the marine dive bombers were shot down. Lt Schlendering somehow managed to follow through with is attack run, release his bomb and find some friendly cloud cover to escape. His plane however had been shot full of holes. He was able to make it to with 10 miles of Midway when his engine finally quit. He tried to contact his gunner but Smith did not respond. Lt Schlendering bailed out and swam to a nearby reef, where he was picked up by a PT boat. His plane had crashed into the sea taking PFC Smith with it. His remains were unrecoverable. He was listed as missing in action on 04 Jun 1942 and pronounced officially dead on 5 Jun 1943. He was awarded posthumously a Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple Heart and a Presidential Unit Citation.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Distinguished Flying Cross citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Edward Oliver Smith (MCSN: 296050), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Radioman-Gunner in Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (VMSB-241), during the Battle of Midway, 4 and 5 June 1945. In a determined attack against the invading Japanese Fleet, Corporal Webb, serving as rear-seat free machine-gunner, maintained fire in the face of overwhelming enemy fighter opposition and fierce anti-aircraft barrage. Because of circumstances attendant upon this engagement, there can be little doubt that he gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 311
--------------------------------------------------
Marine Air Group 22 Presidential Unit Citation:
"For conspicuous courage and heroism in combat at Midway Island during June 1942. Outnumbered five to one, Marine Aircraft Group 22 boldly intercepted a heavily escorted enemy bombing force, disrupting their attack and preventing serious damage to island installations. Operating with half of their dive-bomber's obsolete and in poor mechanical conditions, which necessitated vulnerable glide bombing tactics, they succeeded in inflicting heavy damage on Japanese surface units of a large enemy task force. The skill and gallant perseverance of flight and ground personnel of Marine Aircraft Group 22, fighting under tremendously adverse and dangerous conditions were essential factors in the unyielding defense of Midway."
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Missouri.
Family Members
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