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Paul Smith

World War II · US Army · Staff Sergeant

Rank: Staff Sergeant
United States of America
64FS PAUL SMITH.jpgAdded by: GmasherSSGT Paul Smith wearing the insignia of the 64th Fighter Squadron "Black Scorpions," the unit to which he was assigned in the 57th Fighter Group.
64FS P SMITH2.jpgAdded by: GmasherProbably taken in North Africa, judging from the poor quality of the film development.
64FS P SMITH & BUDDY.jpgAdded by: GmasherAn unidentified enlisted man with Paul (L), somewhere in North Africa.
64FS P SMITH & BOOZE.jpgAdded by: GmasherLuxury accommodations, North Africa style - complete with open bar. Tents were the order of the day for operations during this period, mostly due to the pace of the Allied advance.
64FS MESS P SMITH.jpgAdded by: GmasherA typical mess hall for AAF ground crews in North Africa - open air. Paul is at far right, back to camera.
64FS P SMITH HYGIENE.jpgAdded by: GmasherPaul brushing his teeth; note the long shadow of early morning.
64FS P SMITH MUSICIANS.jpgAdded by: GmasherPaul (L) with an unidentified airman, ready to serenade the crowd...
64FS P SMITH DISCHARGE 091745A.jpgAdded by: GmasherHonorable Discharge dated 17 September 1945.
64FS P SMITH DISCHARGE 091745B.jpgAdded by: GmasherRecord printed on the reverse side of Paul's discharge certificate.
64FS P SMITH DISCHARGE 091745C.jpgAdded by: GmasherTarrant County clerk's statement attached to Paul's discharge certificate.
64FS PAUL SMITH CARDS.jpgAdded by: GmasherThe card sharp - Paul apparently had quite a reputation for relieving his squadron mates of their payday funds at the poker table.
P-40F 64FS AD BESANCON 0230.jpgAdded by: Gmasher64th Fighter Squadron mate Arthur D. Besancon working on the "business end" of a Curtiss P-40F: A Packard-built Rolls-Royce Merlin engine.
AAF BULLION.jpgAdded by: GmasherCustom manufactured Army Air Forces emblem for dress uniform; note bullion thread.
SMITH RIBBONS.jpgAdded by: GmasherTop: Distinguished Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster (57th Fighter Group). Middle: unknown. Bottom (L-R) Good Conduct, American Defense, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign.
WWII VICTORY & GOOD CONDUCT.jpgAdded by: GmasherWorld War II Victory Medal & Good Conduct Medal.
SSGT USAF.jpgAdded by: GmasherRank insignia for Staff Sergeant. Although Smith's discharge from active duty in the Army Air Forces was dated 17 September 1945, he maintained reserve status for three more years - during which the Air Force became a separate armed service, and created their own distinctive rank insignia.
57FG REUNION BADGE.jpgAdded by: GmasherPaul Smith's name badge from his reunions with his WWII unit, the 57th Fighter Group.