/8th Air Force
We were informed today of the passing of Herschel L Smith, pilot Smith Crew 906. He folded his wings on July 28, 2010.
Our hearts go out to the Smith family for the loss of their personal hero.
The following is taken from the Herschel Smith page on the website of the Arrp & Root Funeral Home in Germantown, Ohio.
Herschel L. Smith
(September 25, 1919 - July 28, 2010)
Smith, Herschel L. age 90 of Germantown passed away Wednesday July 28, 2010 at Friendly Nursing Home. He was born on September 25, 1919, the son of the late Hiram and Orpha (Boomershine). Herschel was a graduate of Germantown High School class of 1937. In high school he was active in football, basketball and baseball. After graduation he attended the University of Cincinnati where he played basketball. Herschel was a proud veteran of WWII serving in the Army Air Corps as a Captain. He was in the 492nd Bomb Group, 859th Squadron, where he flew with the "September Pops" B-24 bomber. Herschel was a POW for 11 months. He was retired from Germantown Post Office, helped establish the Pee Wee football program in Germantown and was a charter inductee into the Valley View Hall of Fame. He was a member of Germantown F&AM #257. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Doris, a son Eric and daughter Theresa. He is survived by his son and wife Anthony (Sandra) Smith of Germantown; grandchildren Mardi (Curtis) Humphreys, of GA; Christopher (Jennifer) Smith, of Brookville and Aaron (Emily) Smith of Kettering; great grandchildren Casey Humphreys & Tyler Smith. Graveside services will be held 10:30 am Tuesday at the Germantown Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 pm Monday at the Arpp & Root Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Germantown Fire/EMS. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.arpprootfh.com.
On that web page you'll also find a link to a video tribute to the life of Herschel Smith. It is a slideshow worth watching.
Herschel's name has been moved from our Still Flying list to our Folded Wings page.
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“Folded Wings: Herschel Smith”
Rick Centore wrote...
Lynne & I are very sad to hear of Herschel Smith's passing. I had spoken to him a few times on the phone. His memory was sharp and he was always willing to share his very interesting experiences as a pilot and POW. He was a real American hero and our condolences go out to his son Tony and the rest of Herschel's family.
Rick Centore
Tony Smith wrote...
We buried Dad today with a 21 gun salute and taps by Middletown American legion post (fittingly the post he played baseball for in 1935-36 that won the Ohio state championship). The military honor guard from Wright-Pat did a exemplary job (which was also fitting, for Dad had flown into Patterson Field once or twice while serving and Mom was sent a car from wright field to drive her to be awarded Dad's medal on three different occasions when Dad was in Stalag Luft I).
If I haven't said, Paul, thanks for the advice on arrangement, and thank you and David for letting Dad tell his stories.
Tony Smith
Mark Robinson wrote...
The heroes pass into history every day. My father, Buel Robinson, was lost last year on May 7. He served as Navigator on Hershel Smith's crew during WW2, we spoke of a night the crew spent in London in 1944, mentioned by Smith in a piece we wrote for a book on the 492nd Bomb Group. They were indeed the Greatest Generation, and will be greatly missed.