John Smith (flying ace)
John Lucian Smith | |
|---|---|
Smith in February 1943 | |
| Born | December 26, 1914 Lexington, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | June 9, 1972 (aged 57) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1936–1960 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | VMF-223 Marine Aircraft Group 33 |
| Battles / wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | |
John Lucian Smith (December 26, 1914 – June 9, 1972) was an American Medal of Honor recipient and Marine Corps flying ace who, as commanding officer of VMF-223, shot down 19 Japanese planes in World War II and led his squadron to destroy a total of 83 enemy aircraft during the Solomon Islands campaign.