Valor Friday
James Smith holds a photo of his father, Navy Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Peter L. Smith, Aug. 16 at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, where Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro honored his father’s service in World War II. (MCC Shannon Renfroe/Navy)
I got this story tip from a few of the usual suspects this week. It’s a feel good story, to be sure. If, as I’ve often said, that proper recognition delayed is recognition denied. While AO3 Smith went to his grave without his service properly honored, at least his son and family will be able to proudly point to the awards his father righteously earned.
From Navy Times;
During World War II, Navy Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Peter L. Smith doggedly helped battle the Japanese from the Solomon Islands to Okinawa. Thanks in part to the unflagging efforts of his son, the sailor’s efforts to help win the war in the Pacific have finally been recognized.
During an Aug. 16 ceremony aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro posthumously awarded Smith the Distinguished Flying Cross, for outstanding achievement in aerial flight, and the Air Medal.
His son, James, accepted the medals on his father’s behalf.
“My father, like many thousands of his generation during the war, did his job — day in and day out,” Smith said, according to a Navy release.
His dad, a native of Troy, New York, enlisted in the Navy in February 1942, just two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He initially served as a storekeeper, but soon volunteered for flying duty and completed training as an aviation radioman and an air gunner, according to the release.
In June 1943, Smith was assigned to VC-28, a composite squadron operating out of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. During that time, he was part of a three-man crew manning a TBF Avenger torpedo bomber and participated in 15 combat missions supporting ground troops at New Georgia in the Solomon Islands.
He was then reassigned to Torpedo Squadron 28, a carrier-based squadron embarked with the light aircraft carrier Monterey in 1944.
“During his time with VT-28, Smith flew in operations to retake the Marianas, Saipan, Tinian and Southern Palau from Japanese forces,” according to the release. “He also supported the assaults on the Philippines and strikes against Okinawa.”
In all, Smith helped carry out more than 150 combat and support missions with Torpedo Squadron 28.
After the war, Smith hung up his Navy uniform returned home to work for the New York State Department of Labor. He died in 2009, according to his obituary on Legacy.com.
During the ceremony aboard the Intrepid, Del Toro thanked James Smith for “his tireless work to ensure his father received the recognition he deserved and for preserving his father’s story of service during World War II.”
“I am humbled by the opportunity to honor Peter L. Smith — one of our Navy’s hundreds of thousands of World War II veterans — for his service to our nation during a defining period in world history,” Del Toro said, according to the release. “After the war, Smith, like so many members of this greatest generation, returned to their civilian careers, but forever remained proud of their service.”
“To Petty Officer Smith’s family, I am confident there is no doubt in your minds that his actions met the criteria above for these two awards,” Del Toro said. “His devotion to duty in support of his fellow sailors, Marines, airmen and soldiers was indeed unwavering throughout his time in service, and I have no doubt you take pride in his accomplishments to keep our nation free.”
U.S. Army Corps reservist Capt. Charles Lindbergh received the very first Distinguished Flying Cross in June 1927 for his nonstop, solo flight across the Atlantic. Other notable recipients of the award include former President George H.W. Bush and former Sen. John S. McCain of Arizona.
Those eligible for the award are Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel who “distinguish themselves for heroism or outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight” for the U.S. Armed Forces, according to the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.
Category: Historical, Navy, Valor, We Remember
“After the war, Smith hung up his Navy uniform returned home to work for the New York State Department of Labor. He died in 2009, according to his obituary on Legacy.com.”
A quiet hero, who unlike some of today’s didn’t see a need to dwell on his wartime service or use it as a platform (like Dakota Meyers seems to).
I think that there are many unspoken heroes who simply do what’s necessary while in uniform and then recede into the shadows of civilian service or employment.
AO3 Peter Lawrence Smith.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127796337/peter-l-smith
“Peter Lawrence Smith, 90, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2009. Born on January 21, 1918 in Troy, he was the son of the late Thomas and Sarah McGarry Smith. He was predeceased in 1984 by his beloved wife, Virginia Berry Smith.”
“Peter completed 167 wartime flying missions as an Avenger Torpedo Bomber Radioman while assigned to squadron VT-28. He was based at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal and aboard the USS Monterey (CVL-27), earning combat aircrew wings with three stars.”
“Peter graduated from Troy Business School and also attended Siena College. He retired from the New York State Department of Labor as supervisor of unemployment insurance accounts examiners in 1981 after 43 years of service. After his retirement, he was a dedicated father and grandfather.”
“His son, James, accepted the medals on his father’s behalf.”
“My father, like many thousands of his generation during the war, did his job — day in and day out,” Smith said.”
“I Have Fought The Good Fight, I Have Finished The Race, I Have Kept The Faith….” 2 Timothy 4:7
Rest In Peace, Sir.
Salute.
Thank You, Mason, for sharing another Valor story about an Unsung Hero.
Never Forget.
“…did his job — day in and day out,”…
And that’s the way you do it. One of the millions that made the world a better place, finished the job required, came back home, and continued to make the world a better place.
The unsung stories of these people make the tales of derring do of phonies and embellishers that much more despicable.
Salute! Thanks again, Mason and a nod to our very own (we have THE BEST) ninja for the added linky. Only one more week until it’s gabn/gabaf/rtr/hbtd time!
Not to be a dissenting voice, but what exactly did he do beyond his duty to deserve the award of the second highest award in our inventory? Carrying out your duties in a creditable manner is not going to get it done.
Agree. We complain about “medal inflation” with folks who never left the wire getting a Bronze Stars and then this story of awarding a DFC for…doing his job “like thousands of others”
Respectfully, sir, you appear to have confused the Distinguished Service Cross / Navy Cross with the Distinguished Flying Cross.
The DFC ranks just below the Legion of Merit. The DSC/NC is second to the MOH.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_States)
An Air Medal would be an appropriate award, I’m thinking.
Yeah…167 combat missions. I mean, that’s insignificant. EVERYBODY did that. Right? Hell, you had to complete all of 28 bombing missions over Europe before you could go home. What’s a few more?
Another notable recipient of the DFC; Amelia Earhart (first woman to receive it in 1932).