Donavon F. Smith

Donavon Francis Smith (October 2, 1922 – September 10, 1974) was a United States Army Air Forces flying ace during the World War II.

He accrued 5.5 victories in the war.

Smith was born on October 2, 1922, in Dowagiac, Michigan.

He graduated from Niles High School in Niles, Michigan, in 1940.

He entered the aviation cadet program in January 1942 and commenced his Primary training at Bruce Field, Texas on 30 March 1942, and soloed the Fairchild PT-19 after seven hours and 16 minutes of instruction.

He later moved to Randolph Field, Texas for Basic training and Advanced training at Foster Field, Texas.

Smith was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was awarded his pilot wings on October 9, 1942.

After completing P-47 Thunderbolt training, Smith joined the 61st Fighter Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group at Bridgeport, Connecticut, in November 1942.

He was deployed with the group to England in January 1943.

Arriving at RAF Kings Cliffe in January 1943, he flew his first mission from RAF Horsham St. Faith on May 4, 1943.

In July 1943, the group moved to RAF Halesworth.

On July 30, 1943, while escorting B-17 Flying Fortresses over Emden, Germany, Smith was credited with a probable destruction of a Messerschmitt Bf 109.

His biggest day came on December 11, during a bomber escort mission against military objectives in the heavily defended area of Emden, Germany.

During the mission, his flight was attacked by Messerschmitt Bf 110s.

Engaging five of them, he managed to shoot down two Bf 110s.

In the same mission, he was credited with a shared destruction of a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 and damaged one Bf 110.

For his heroism in the mission, Smith received the Distinguished Service Cross.

Smith continued to score aerial victories.

He shot down two Bf 110s over Steinhude Lake on February 20, 1944.

He finally became a flying ace, when he shot down a Fw 190 over Lippstadt on February 22.

In April 1944, Smith finished his operational tour, opting to take 30 days of shore leave and returning to the 56th Fighter Group for a second tour in July 1944.

He was appointed as commander of the 61st Fighter Squadron in September 1944.

He flew his 124th and final combat mission with the 56th FG on January 5, 1945.

During World War II, Smith was credited with the destruction of 5.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1 probable, 2 damaged, and 2 destroyed on the ground while strafing enemy airfields.

Smith returned to the United States in March 1945 and was assigned as project officer, Tactics Division, Army Air Forces Board, at Orlando Army Air Field, Florida.

In November 1945 he was transferred to Headquarters Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C., as air staff officer, Intelligence.

In May 1946 he was assigned to Strategic Air Command at Selfridge Field, Michigan, where he rejoined the 56th Fighter Group as commander of the 61st Fighter Squadron.

In 1948 he participated as operations officer in the first overseas deployment of jet fighter aircraft, from Selfridge Air Force Base to West Germany and return.

General Smith was U.S. Air Force/Royal Air Force exchange officer, from August 1949 to September 1950 and served as commander, No. 1 Squadron RAF, at Tangmere, England.

From October 1950 to July 1956, he served with Air Defense Command in various assignments including inspector general, 56th Fighter Interceptor Group, Selfridge Air Force Base; commander, 63d Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan; commander, 518th Air Defense Group, Niagara Falls Air Force Base, New York; and director of military personnel, Headquarters Air Defense Command, Ent Air Force Base, Colorado.

During this time, the 56th FG was equipped with the new "Bubbletop" P-47s and was stationed at RAF Boxted.

While serving with the 56th FG, he flew P-47s bearing the names "P J & Hun Hunter", "Ole Cock II" and "Ole Cock III".

He next was operations officer for the 56th Fighter Group and then chief of supply, 56th Fighter Wing.

In July 1956, Smith returned to Europe and became commander of the 21st Fighter Bomber Group at Chambley-Bussières Air Base, France.

In December 1957 he was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Paris, France, as chief of the Atomic Operations Section, Air Atomic Operations Division (Joint Staff).

Smith returned to the United States in July 1960 and was reassigned to Air Defense Command at McChord Air Force Base, Washington, as director, North American Air Defense Command Operations, Headquarters 25th NORAD Region, and later as commander, 325th Fighter Interceptor Wing.

In August 1962 he entered the National War College at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., and graduated in June 1963.

He next was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force as chief of the Air Defense Division, Directorate of Operational Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Requirements.

From February to May 1966, he attended the Advanced Management School at Harvard University, and then returned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force as deputy director of strategic and defense forces in the Directorate of Operational Requirements and Development Plans.

He retired from the United States Air Force in 1973 at the rank of lieutenant general.