Earl R Smith

Military

Connections

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Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'

466th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Lawrence E Reber

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-700540
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

42-95569

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: That Red Headed Gal

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).

Attlebridge

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Moore Haven, FL 33471, USA 13 June 1923

Died

Pasco County, FL, USA 8 March 2013 SMITH, Earl R. "Smitty" 89, of New Port Richey, died March 8, 2013. Born in Moore Haven, FL in 1923. After his graduation, he worked for Riddle Aviation in Clewiston, FL, training RAF pilots. He joined the Army Air Corp and served in England until WWII ended. Then he came back to Miami, and worked for Eastern Airlines from 1945-1985. Attended the University of Miami (Hurricanes) and was a lifelong fan of the 'Canes. He loved to laugh, joke & tell stories and made and kept many friendships. Loved his family & his animals. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia

Buried

Bushnell, FL 33513, USA 12 March 2013 Florida National Cemetery Bushnell Sumter County Florida, USA

Based

Attlebridge Transited to the ETO and Attlebridge aboard the Queen Mary

Other

Operation Home Run

Departed Attlebridge on a B-24 with the Lawrence Reber Crew
New Port Richey, FL, USA

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Archives - Letter from Earl Smith dated 7 March 1997
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=smith&GSfn=Earl&G…;