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{{Short description|American fighter pilot and Tuskegee Airman (1919–1951)}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Graham "Peepsight" Smith
| name = Graham "Peepsight" Smith
Line 5: Line 7:
| birth_place = [[Ahoskie, North Carolina]], US
| birth_place = [[Ahoskie, North Carolina]], US
| death_date = {{death date and age|1951|04|30|1919|04|19}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1951|04|30|1919|04|19}}
| death_place = [[North Korea]], US
| death_place = [[North Korea]]
| resting_place = [[Arlington National Cemetery]]
| resting_place = [[Arlington National Cemetery]]
| alma_mater = The Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina (now [[North Carolina A&T]]
| alma_mater = The Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina (now [[North Carolina A&T]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Military officer|fighter pilot}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Military officer|fighter pilot}}
| years_active = 1942 - 1951
| years_active = 1942–1951
}}
}}


'''Graham "Peepsight" Smith''' (April 19, 1919 - April 30, 1951) was an [[U.S. Army Air Force]] officer and combat fighter pilot with the [[332nd Fighter Group]]'s [[99th Fighter Squadron]], best known as the [[Tuskegee Airmen]], "Red Tails," or “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” ("Black Birdmen") among enemy German pilots.<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref><ref>Digital Gems - Illinois Heartland Library System. "Graham "Peepsight" Smith." https://digitalgems.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p114401coll5/id/44/</ref> He was a member of Tuskegee Airmen's fourth-ever aviation cadet program and one of the 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.<ref name="CAF2">{{cite web |title=Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster |url=https://cafriseabove.org/the-tuskegee-airmen/tuskegee-airmen-pilot-roster/ |website=CAF Rise Above |publisher=CAF Rise Above |access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref><ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>
'''Graham "Peepsight" Smith''' (April 19, 1919 – April 30, 1951){{KIA}} was an [[U.S. Army Air Force]] officer and combat fighter pilot with the [[332nd Fighter Group]]'s [[99th Fighter Squadron]], best known as the [[Tuskegee Airmen]].<ref name=CAF>{{cite web|url=https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/|title=Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith|date=10 March 2020 |publisher=CAF Rise Above|accessdate=20 September 2021}}</ref><ref>Digital Gems – Illinois Heartland Library System. "Graham "Peepsight" Smith." https://digitalgems.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p114401coll5/id/44/</ref> He was a member of Tuskegee Airmen's fourth-ever aviation cadet program and one of the 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.<ref name=CAF2>{{cite web|title=Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster|url=https://cafriseabove.org/the-tuskegee-airmen/tuskegee-airmen-pilot-roster/|publisher=CAF Rise Above|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=CAF/>


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.<ref>"Tuskegee Airman Chronology." Daniel L. Haulman, PhD, Chief, Organization History Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency)</ref>
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.<ref>"Tuskegee Airman Chronology." Daniel L. Haulman, PhD, Chief, Organization History Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency)</ref>


Smith's brother, [[Reginald V. Smith]], also trained as a pilot with the [[332nd Fighter Group]].<ref>Roanoke-Chowan News Herald. "One heartbeat." Cal Bryant. November 13, 2012. https://www.roanoke-chowannewsherald.com/2012/11/13/one-heartbeat/</ref><ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>
Smith's brother, Reginald V. Smith, also trained as a pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group.<ref name=CAF/><ref name=Bryant>{{cite news|newspaper=Roanoke-Chowan News Herald|title=One heartbeat|author=Cal Bryant|date=November 13, 2012|url=https://www.roanoke-chowannewsherald.com/2012/11/13/one-heartbeat/}}</ref>


==Early Life, Family==
==Early life and family==
Smith was born on April 19, 1919, in the agricultural community of [[Ahoskie, North Carolina]], [[Hertford County]].<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref> He was the son of Dempsey Porter Smith (1885–1976) and Zeora L. Smith (1902–1985).
Smith was born on April 19, 1919, in the agricultural community of [[Ahoskie, North Carolina]], [[Hertford County]].<ref name=CAF/> He was the son of Dempsey Porter Smith (1885–1976) and Zeora L. Smith (1902–1985). His siblings included sister Mildred Evelyn Smith (1913–1935) and brother, Reginald V. Smith (1925–1946), who graduated from Tuskegee Flight School's Class 45-E-SE as a twin-engine pilot at Tuskegee Air Field, receiving his wings and commission as a flight officer.<ref name=Bryant/><ref name=CAF/>


⚫
Smith attended the Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina (now [[North Carolina A&T]]), where he was the treasurer of NC A&T's [[Sphinx Club (North Carolina A&T)|Sphinx Club]].<ref name=CAF/>
His siblings included sister Mildred Evelyn Smith (1913–1935) and brother, [[Reginald V. Smith]] (September 15, 1925 - July 7, 1946), who graduated from Tuskegee Flight School's Class 45-E-SE as a twin-engine pilot at Tuskegee Air Field, receiving his wings and commission as a Flight Officer.<ref>Roanoke-Chowan News Herald. "One heartbeat." Cal Bryant. November 13, 2012. https://www.roanoke-chowannewsherald.com/2012/11/13/one-heartbeat/</ref><ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>


On October 30, 1943, Smith married Annie D. Valentine Hall in [[Weldon, North Carolina]].<ref name=CAF/>
⚫
Smith attended the Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina (now [[North Carolina A&T]]) where he was the treasurer of NC A&T's [[Sphinx Club]].<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>


==Pre-military flight training==
On October 30, 1943, Smith married Annie D. Valentine Hall in [[Weldon, North Carolina]].<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>
⚫
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 [[Civilian Pilot Training Program]], earmarked six [[historically black colleges and universities]] to develop a cadre of African American pilots.<ref name=McClure>{{cite web|url=https://stateofhbcus.wordpress.com/tag/civilian-pilot-training/|title= State of the HBCU: Past, Present, Future. "What you should know before seeing Red Tails|author=Brian McClure|date=13 January 2012|accessdate=20 September 2021}}</ref><ref name=CAF/> The federal government selected the following schools for official CPTP sites: [[Tuskegee Institute]] (now [[Tuskegee University]]), [[West Virginia State College]] (now [[West Virginia State University]]), [[Howard University]], [[Delaware State University]], [[Hampton Institute]] (now [[Hampton University]]) and Smith's alma mater, the Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina.<ref name=Taylor>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/blog/a-and-t-trained-black-pilots-during-ww2|title=NC A&T Trained Black Pilots During WWII|publisher=North Carolina Museum of History|author=Andre Taylor|date=|accessdate=20 September 2021}}</ref><ref name=McClure/><ref name=CAF/> Smith was one of 20 students selected, out of 100-plus applicants.<ref name=CAF/> NC A&T's program required Smith and other candidates to be least a sophomore enrolled an any of the academic programs on campus, and prepared to 72 hours of ground school including aeronautics, avionics and the physics of flight, and 35 to 45 hours of flying time towards a private pilot certificate.<ref name=Taylor/>


==Pre-Military Flight Training==
==Military service==
⚫
In 1942, the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] admitted Smith to its Advanced Flight School at [[Tuskegee Army Airfield]]. On July 3, 1942, Smith graduated as a member of the Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-42-F, receiving his wings and commission as a [[2nd Lieutenant]].<ref name=CAF2/><ref>Black Knights: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen. Homan, Lynn, Thomas Reilly · 2001. Page 68.</ref> He was then assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group's [[99th Fighter Squadron]] where he would operate from 1943 to 1945.<ref name=CAF/>
⚫
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 its [[Civil Aeronautics Authority]] --- earmarked only six [[historically black colleges and universities]] ([[HBCU]]s) to develop a cadre of African American pilots.<ref>State of the HBCU: Past, Present, Future. "What you should know before seeing Red Tails." BRIAN MCCLURE. JANUARY 13, 2012. https://stateofhbcus.wordpress.com/tag/civilian-pilot-training/</ref><ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref> The federal government selected the following [[HBCU]]s for official Civil Aeronautics Authority Training Program sites: [[Tuskegee Institute]] (now [[Tuskegee University]]), [[West Virginia State College]] (now [[West Virginia State University]]), [[Howard University]], [[Delaware State University]], [[Hampton Institute]] (now [[Hampton University]]), and Smith's alma mater, the Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina (now [[North Carolina A&T]].<ref>North Carolina Museum of History. "NC A&T Trained Black Pilots During WWII." Andre Taylor, Former Digital Content Producer, North Carolina Museum of History. https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/blog/a-and-t-trained-black-pilots-during-ww2</ref><ref>State of the HBCU: Past, Present, Future. "What you should know before seeing Red Tails." BRIAN MCCLURE. JANUARY 13, 2012. https://stateofhbcus.wordpress.com/tag/civilian-pilot-training/</ref><ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref> Smith was one of 20 [[HBCU]] students selected, out of 100-plus applicants.<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref> NC A&T's program required Smith and other candidates to be least a sophomore enrolled an any of the academic programs on campus, and prepared to 72 hours of ground school including aeronautics, avionics and the physics of flight, and 35 to 45 hours of flying time towards a private pilot certificate.<ref>North Carolina Museum of History. "NC A&T Trained Black Pilots During WWII." Andre Taylor, Former Digital Content Producer, North Carolina Museum of History. https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/blog/a-and-t-trained-black-pilots-during-ww2</ref>


⚫
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.<ref>99th Fighter Squadron history, Mar 1941-Oct 1943.</ref>
==Military Service==
⚫
In 1942, the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] admitted Smith to its Advanced Flight School at [[Tuskegee Army Airfield]]. On July 3, 1942, Smith graduated as a member of the Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-42-F, receiving his wings and commission as a [[2nd Lieutenant]].<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster." https://cafriseabove.org/the-tuskegee-airmen/tuskegee-airmen-pilot-roster/ . This data derives from CAF Rise Above's research project compiling data from Tuskegee Airmen historians including the Air Force Historical Research Agency.</ref><ref>Black Knights: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen. Homan, Lynn, Thomas Reilly · 2001. Page 68.</ref> The [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] assigned Smith to the 332nd Fighter Group's [[99th Fighter Squadron]] where he would operate from 1943 to 1945.<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>


⚫
In 1944, Smith was transferred back to the United States.<ref>Series: African American Activities in Industry, Government, and the Armed Forces, 1941–1945
⚫
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.<ref>99th Fighter Squadron history, Mar 1941-Oct 1943.</ref>
⚫
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</ref>


⚫
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.<ref name=CAF/>
⚫
In 1944, Smith was transferred back to the United States.<ref>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</ref>


⚫
At the time of his death in 1951, Smith held the rank of [[Captain]].<ref name=Together>{{cite web|url=https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=PersonAircraftExt&ID=67306|title=Smith, Graham, Capt – Fallen|publisher=Together We Served|accessdate=20 September 2021}}</ref><ref name=CAF/>
⚫
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.<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>


⚫
==Death==
⚫
At the time of his death in 1951, Smith held the rank of [[Captain]].<ref>Together We Served. "Smith, Graham, Capt - Fallen." https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=PersonAircraftExt&ID=67306</ref><ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>
On April 30, 1951, Smith died from multiple fragmentation wounds when his aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft [[flak]] during a combat mission near Miudong, [[North Korea]].<ref name=Together/><ref name=CAF/> After deeming Smith [[Missing in Action]] on December 31, 1953, his status was changed to presumed dead.<ref name=CAF/>


⚫
He was interred at the [[Arlington National Cemetery]], Plot MH, 0, 325-B, in [[Arlington, Virginia]], [[Arlington County]].<ref name=Together/>
⚫
==Commendations, Awards==
* [[Air Medal]] with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>
* [[Purple Heart]]<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>
* [[Korean Service Medal]]<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>
* [[United Nations Service Medal]]<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>
* [[National Defense Service Medal]]<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>
* [[Republic of Korea War Service Medal]]<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>

⚫
==Death==
On April 30, 1951, Smith died from multiple fragmentation wounds when his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft [[flak]] during a combat mission near Miudong, [[North Korea]].<ref>Together We Served. "Smith, Graham, Capt - Fallen." https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=PersonAircraftExt&ID=67306</ref><ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref> After deeming Smith [[Missing in Action]], [[U.S. Air Force]], on December 31, 1953, presumed Smith dead.<ref>CAF Rise Above. "Captain Graham Smith and brother Flight Officer Reginald Vinson Smith." https://cafriseabove.org/captain-graham-smith-and-brother-flight-officer-reginald-vinson-smith/</ref>


⚫
==Commendations and awards==
⚫
He was interred at the [[Arlington National Cemetery]], Plot MH, 0, 325-B, in [[Arlington, Virginia]], [[Arlington County]].<ref>Together We Served. "Smith, Graham, Capt - Fallen." https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=PersonAircraftExt&ID=67306</ref>
* [[Air Medal]] with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters<ref name=CAF/>
* [[Purple Heart]]<ref name=CAF/>
* [[Korean Service Medal]]<ref name=CAF/>
* [[United Nations Service Medal]]<ref name=CAF/>
* [[National Defense Service Medal]]<ref name=CAF/>
* [[Republic of Korea War Service Medal]]<ref name=CAF/>


==Legacy==
==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]].<ref>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</ref>
* On October 20, 1943, while on leave from the European Theater, Smith, in uniform, attended the [[Hampton Institute]] - State football game with future wife Annie D. Valentine, ten days before their October 30, 1943 wedding.<ref>Unknown Newspaper Clip. "Flier from Overseas at Game." https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157120670496915&set=p.10157120670496915&type=3</ref>
⚫
* 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]].<ref>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</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 80: Line 79:
[[Category:1951 deaths]]
[[Category:1951 deaths]]
[[Category:American military personnel killed in the Korean War]]
[[Category:American military personnel killed in the Korean War]]
[[Category:American Korean War pilots]]
[[Category:Aviators killed by being shot down]]
[[Category:Military personnel missing in action]]

Latest revision as of 03:11, 15 November 2023

Graham "Peepsight" Smith
Born
Graham Smith

April 19, 1919
Ahoskie, North Carolina, US
DiedApril 30, 1951(1951-04-30) (aged 32)
North Korea
Resting placeArlington National Cemetery
Alma materThe Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina (now North Carolina A&T
Occupations
  • Military officer
  • fighter pilot
Years active1942–1951

Graham "Peepsight" Smith (April 19, 1919 – April 30, 1951) † was an U.S. Army Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen.[1][2] He was a member of Tuskegee Airmen's fourth-ever aviation cadet program and one of the 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.[3][1]

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

[edit]

Smith was born on April 19, 1919, in the agricultural community of Ahoskie, North Carolina, Hertford County.[1] He was the son of Dempsey Porter Smith (1885–1976) and Zeora L. Smith (1902–1985). His siblings included sister Mildred Evelyn Smith (1913–1935) and brother, Reginald V. Smith (1925–1946), who graduated from Tuskegee Flight School's Class 45-E-SE as a twin-engine pilot at Tuskegee Air Field, receiving his wings and commission as a flight officer.[5][1]

Smith attended the Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina (now North Carolina A&T), where he was the treasurer of NC A&T's Sphinx Club.[1]

On October 30, 1943, Smith married Annie D. Valentine Hall in Weldon, North Carolina.[1]

Pre-military flight training

[edit]

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 Civilian Pilot Training Program, earmarked six historically black colleges and universities to develop a cadre of African American pilots.[6][1] The federal government selected the following schools for official CPTP sites: Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University), Howard University, Delaware State University, Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) and Smith's alma mater, the Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina.[7][6][1] Smith was one of 20 students selected, out of 100-plus applicants.[1] NC A&T's program required Smith and other candidates to be least a sophomore enrolled an any of the academic programs on campus, and prepared to 72 hours of ground school including aeronautics, avionics and the physics of flight, and 35 to 45 hours of flying time towards a private pilot certificate.[7]

Military service

[edit]

In 1942, the U.S. Army Air Corps admitted Smith to its Advanced Flight School at Tuskegee Army Airfield. On July 3, 1942, Smith graduated as a member of the Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-42-F, receiving his wings and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.[3][8] He was then assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron where he would operate from 1943 to 1945.[1]

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

[edit]

On April 30, 1951, Smith died from multiple fragmentation wounds when his aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft flak during a combat mission near Miudong, North Korea.[11][1] After deeming Smith Missing in Action on December 31, 1953, his status was changed to presumed dead.[1]

He was interred at the Arlington National Cemetery, Plot MH, 0, 325-B, in Arlington, Virginia, Arlington County.[11]

Commendations and awards

[edit]

Legacy

[edit]
  • 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

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Digital Gems – Illinois Heartland Library System. "Graham "Peepsight" Smith." https://digitalgems.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p114401coll5/id/44/
  3. ^ a b "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Tuskegee Airman Chronology." Daniel L. Haulman, PhD, Chief, Organization History Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency)
  5. ^ a b Cal Bryant (November 13, 2012). "One heartbeat". Roanoke-Chowan News Herald.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ a b Andre Taylor. "NC A&T Trained Black Pilots During WWII". North Carolina Museum of History. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  8. ^ Black Knights: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen. Homan, Lynn, Thomas Reilly · 2001. Page 68.
  9. ^ 99th Fighter Squadron history, Mar 1941-Oct 1943.
  10. ^ 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
  11. ^ a b c "Smith, Graham, Capt – Fallen". Together We Served. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  12. ^ 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
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