Graham Smith (pilot)
Graham "Peepsight" Smith | |
---|---|
Born | Graham Smith April 19, 1919 North Carolina A&T |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1942–1951 |
Graham "Peepsight" Smith (April 19, 1919 – April 30, 1951)
Smith was the first African American US Military combat fighter pilot to land on foreign soil in North Africa, at Oued N’ja in French Morocco.[4]
Smith's brother, Reginald V. Smith, also trained as a pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group.[1][5]
Early life and family
Smith was born on April 19, 1919, in the agricultural community of
Smith attended the Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina (now
On October 30, 1943, Smith married Annie D. Valentine Hall in Weldon, North Carolina.[1]
Pre-military flight training
In its efforts to address the shortage of potential military pilots nationwide (especially with pressure from the African American press, civil rights organizations and colleges for African American participation in aeronautics), the U.S. Federal Government, through the
Military service
In 1942, the
On May 5, 1943, Smith and Lieutenant James T. Wiley were the 99th Fighter Squadron's first two P-40 pilots to land in North Africa, at Oued N’ja in French Morocco.[9]
In 1944, Smith was transferred back to the United States.[10]
After World War II, Smith left the military, returning for the Korean War where he served with the 18th Fighter Bomber Wing and the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron.[1]
At the time of his death in 1951, Smith held the rank of Captain.[11][1]
Death
On April 30, 1951, Smith died from multiple fragmentation wounds when his aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft
He was interred at the
Commendations and awards
- Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters[1]
- Purple Heart[1]
- Korean Service Medal[1]
- United Nations Service Medal[1]
- National Defense Service Medal[1]
- Republic of Korea War Service Medal[1]
Legacy
- In 2007, the General Assembly of North Carolina passed a resolution honoring the legacy of Smith, his brother Reginald V. Smith, and other Tuskegee Airmen from North Carolina.[12]
See also
- Executive Order 9981
- List of Tuskegee Airmen
- List of Tuskegee Airmen Cadet Pilot Graduation Classes
- Military history of African Americans
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith". CAF Rise Above. 10 March 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ Digital Gems – Illinois Heartland Library System. "Graham "Peepsight" Smith." https://digitalgems.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p114401coll5/id/44/
- ^ a b "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ "Tuskegee Airman Chronology." Daniel L. Haulman, PhD, Chief, Organization History Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency)
- ^ a b Cal Bryant (November 13, 2012). "One heartbeat". Roanoke-Chowan News Herald.
- ^ a b Brian McClure (13 January 2012). "State of the HBCU: Past, Present, Future. "What you should know before seeing Red Tails". Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ a b Andre Taylor. "NC A&T Trained Black Pilots During WWII". North Carolina Museum of History. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ Black Knights: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen. Homan, Lynn, Thomas Reilly · 2001. Page 68.
- ^ 99th Fighter Squadron history, Mar 1941-Oct 1943.
- ^ Series: African American Activities in Industry, Government, and the Armed Forces, 1941–1945 Record Group 208: Records of the Office of War Information, 1926–1951. n.d. National Archives Identifier: 535836, Local Identifier: 208-NP-6EEE-1. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/535836
- ^ a b c "Smith, Graham, Capt – Fallen". Together We Served. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2007, RATIFIED BILL. RESOLUTION 2007-62. HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 2063. A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THEIR SERVICE DURING WORLD WAR. https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2007/Bills/House/PDF/H2063v3.pdf