Dates

• Usage: 1908 - 1958

Biographical Note

Curtis Elijah "Curt" Smith (1908-1958) was a member of the 1st American Volunteer Group, nicknamed the "Flying Tigers."

Curtis Elijah Smith was born on July 27, 1908 in Augusta, Georgia. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1929 and learned to fly at Brooks Field and Kelly Field, Texas. Smith served as a Second Lieutenant for 16 months, until Congress reduced the number of pilots to 250. He then joined the Marine Corps as a Private, and served for 2 years, rising to Sergeant. In 1933, Smith rejoined the Army Air Corps. In 1935, he was commissioned First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve, serving as company commander in the Augusta unit, the 19th Infantry Battalion, until it was mobilized in 1940 due to World War II. During this time, he was also actively involved with his family business, Interstate Coffee Company in Augusta, Georgia.

In 1940, Smith trained for active duty at the Marine Junior Staff Officer School in Quantico, Virginia and at flight school in Pensacola, Florida. He also served as flight instructor. In August 1941, he was separated from the Marine Corps so that he could go to Burma and serve with the American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers.". Smith joined Chennault’s staff and became the Group Adjutant until the Flying Tigers were officially disbanded on July 4, 1942.

After the disbandment, Smith returned to Augusta, Georgia in September 1942. The Marines re-commissioned him as a Major and he resumed flight instructor duties in Pensacola, Florida until September 1943. Smith was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and sent to England, as an air observer with the Royal Air Force (RAF). He graduated from the RAF Empire Central Flying School course No. 6 in December 1943.

In October 1944, Smith was sent to the Pacific as Operations Officer for Marine Air Group 14. He participated in the Philippine and Okinawa campaigns, earning the Air Medal, Bronze Star, and Silver Star.

Post-war, Smith returned to Augusta, Georgia and took over the family business. He also remained in the Marine Reserves. In 1957, he resigned from the family business due to an illness. He relocated to Tralee, Ireland and died shortly after on August 26, 1958, survived by his wife, Cicily Patricia (Hayes) Smith and their four children.

Sources:

Biography derived from collection materials and online biography on the AVG Flying Tigers website.

Citation:

https://flyingtigersavg.com/smith-curtis-elijah/#more-462

Found in 1 Collection or Record: