The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
SMITH, MAYNARD H.
Rank and Organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army Air
Corps, 423d Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bomber Group. Place and Date Over Europe, 1
May 1943. Entered Service at: Cairo, Mich. Born: 1911, Cairo Mich. G.O.
No.: 38, 12 July 1943.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. The
aircraft of which Sgt. Smith was a gunner was subjected to intense enemy antiaircraft fire
and determined fighter airplane attacks while returning from a mission over enemy-occupied
continental Europe on 1 May 1943. The airplane was hit several times by antiaircraft fire
and cannon shells of the fighter airplanes, 2 of the crew were seriously wounded, the
aircraft's oxygen system shot out, and several vital control cables severed when intense
fires were ignited simultaneously in the radio compartment and waist sections. The
situation became so acute that 3 of the crew bailed out into the comparative safety of the
sea. Sgt. Smith, then on his first combat mission, elected to fight the fire by himself,
administered first aid to the wounded tail gunner, manned the waist guns, and fought the
intense flames alternately. The escaping oxygen fanned the fire to such intense heat that
the ammunition in the radio compartment began to explode, the radio, gun mount, and camera
were melted, and the compartment completely gutted. Sgt. Smith threw the exploding
ammunition overboard, fought the fire until all the firefighting aids were exhausted,
manned the workable guns until the enemy fighters were driven away, further administered
first aid to his wounded comrade, and then by wrapping himself in protecting cloth,
completely extinguished the fire by hand. This soldier's gallantry in action, undaunted
bravery, and loyalty to his aircraft and fellow crewmembers, without regard for his own
personal safety, is an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces.