Leighton C Smith

Military

1stLt. Leighton Smith was the command pilot of, 41-24229, Buzzin' Bear, shot down by fighters over the Foggia enemy airfields, under TDY to the 9th Air Force in, 41-24229, Buzzin' Bear. Following a successful bail out, although he was burned by his flaming B-24D, Buzzin' Bear, Lt. Smith was captured and turned over to the Germans. POW. 16 Oct 1943.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The 'semiofficial' insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

A medical truck and ground personnel of the 44th Bomb Group on standby as a B-24 Liberator (V, serial number 41-23813) nicknamed "Victory Ship" returns from a mission. Image via Colonel William R Cameron.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19062664 / 0-727169
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19055445
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Seeds of Satan - Miss Delores - Buzzin' Bear
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Berka, al Birkah

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

San Antonio, Texas

Revisions

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Associations, spelling. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-24229 - Buzzin' Bear

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-24229 - Buzzin' Bear

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

44th BG Roll of Honor and Casualties by Will Lundy pp. 109-112, MACR 15858, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol I by Bishop & Hey p. 235; 44th Bomb Group, The Flying Eightballs, pg 21 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia