Maynard Harrison Smith MoH

 

 Ok, folks, I found this to be an interesting story.  Apparently, heroes aren't always good guys but they can rise to the occasion.

 

On with the story!

 

Maynord Harrison Smith was given the nickname of Snuffy when he joined the Army Air Corps.

 

Source

 No Beans, not that one.

 

 

Source

 

This one!  According to this source, he was a bit of a trouble maker.  Drafted into the Army at 31, he seemed to find his place, although he still had "issues". In an interview with Andy Rooney (prior to Rooney's fame), it was noted that he was "a moderately pompous little fellow with the belligerent attitude of a man trying to make up with attitude what his five-foot-four, 130-pound body left him wanting.” As a result, his nickname (in the modern Air Force call sign) "Snuffy", was bestowed on him. 

 

Suffice it to say when the time came, he arose to the occasion. An excellent retelling of his Medal of Honor mission can be found here.  I'm not going to copy it or try to retell it.  Go! I'll be here when you get back.

 

Wow! Right?   Holy Mackerel, the courage exhibited (and to be honest,  a touch of luck) is astonishing.  

 

The quote "Where do we get such men?" (nowadays "such people”) was from James Michener's "Bridges at Toko-Ri" but  President Reagan made it famous when he used it in a speech.  It was true then, it is true now!

 

 

 Smith's MOH citation

 

 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 aircraft attacks while returning from a mission over enemy-occupied continental Europe on 1 May 1943. The aircraft was hit several times by antiaircraft fire and cannon shells of the fighter aircraft, 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 crew members, without regard for his own personal safety, is an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces.

 Here's a good summary of the rest of his life. Quite the character!