FRE 5590

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A P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft, named "Ole Cock" of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter group. The aircarft was piloted by Major Donovan F. Smith. Smith earned the nickname Dieppe, due to his evading flak whilst flying over the French port. Handwritten on slide casing:"HV S ole Cock 16mm movie IM 90d"
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A P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft, named "Ole Cock" of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter group. The aircarft was piloted by Major Donavon F. Smith. Smith earned the nickname Dieppe, due to his evading flak whilst flying over the French port. Handwritten on slide casing:"HV S ole Cock 16mm movie IM 90d"

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People

First Lieutenant Donavon Smith, of the 56th Fighter Group. Hubert Zemke has handwritten on the reverse: '4-12. 1st Lt. Donavon Smith. I could write here "They don't make them as young as they use to." On my interview of replacement pilots I stared at Lt. Smith and swore the U.S. Army was recruiting directly from the Boy Scouts. We didn't have to issue him a razor. Nevertheless Donavon went on to tally 6 air victories, go to college and become and Air Force Major-Gen. Deceased 1978. Zemke.'

Donavon Francis Smith

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665628
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer

Revisions

Date:
ContributorPyker
ChangesChanges to caption
Sources

Corrected name from Donovan to Donavon. Source - his family and his Logbook.

Date:
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection