384th 2025 REUNION
INFORMATION PAGE⇗

Smith, William Edward

Individual Personnel Data
Name Smith, William Edward   ‡
⇗
Rank Staff Sergeant / Technical Sergeant
Serial Number 38426567   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #176 dated 28 December 1943, effective 28 December 1943.
Duty Radio Operator / Gunner
MOS757 - Radio Operator / Mechanic / Gunner, AAF
Last Duty Date 11 February 1944
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 13 March 1914
  • Promoted to Technical Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #10 dated 15 January 1944.
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 2529⇓ (12.848 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Widener, Seth Grenell, Jr⇗PilotPOW
2nd Lt. McNabb, Edward Gordon⇗Co-pilotTR
2nd Lt. Wickman, Alfred Louis⇗NavigatorPOW
S/SGT. Smith, William EdwardRadio Operator / GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Cifelli, George Emil⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerKIA

Crew History

The Widener Crew was assigned to the 547th BS on 28 December 1943. At that time, the crew included only the five members listed. The copilot, McNabb, was transferred after flying only two combat missions with other crews (while Widener flew his 'orientation' missions as copilot with an experienced crew).
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 3 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
60⇗ 6 February 1944 Target: Nancy/Essey Aerodrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nancy, France 		Radio Operator 42‑39962⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
61⇗ 8 February 1944 Target: Piston Ring Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑39962⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
62⇗ 11 February 1944 Target: Propeller Factory (Foundry)
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑39962⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Last seen approaching French Coast making a left turn losing altitude, going into a steep spiral and into a dive at 10,000 ft; fire in bomb-bay, from several accounts in the MACR; crashed near Saint-Vaast-d'Équiqueville, France. MACR 2529
Sortie Report⇗

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