Local program honors historic black captain

The 332nd Fighter Group flew some 200 escort missions without losing a bomber.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Tuskegee Airmen paved the way for integration of the American armed forces, speakers said Friday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6488's Veterans Day program, which paid tribute to the historic black airmen.
Tuskegee graduate Capt. Luther Smith received special recognition. He shot down two German planes in aerial combat and destroyed another 12 on the ground during World War II.
Smith, who lives in Philadelphia, barely survived when his plane was damaged by an explosion during a strafing run and crashed Oct. 13, 1944. His engine was on fire, and he was hanging half in and half out of the plane with his foot caught in the cockpit. Smith was unconscious when his parachute activated, dragging him out of the cockpit and breaking his hip in the process.
He landed in a tree, was captured by the Germans, and spent seven months as a prisoner of war in a German hospital until the war in Europe ended. He spent two more years in U.S. hospitals recovering.
Smith continued his achievements after the war, becoming the country's first black aeronautical engineer, and was one of the design engineers for the national World War II monument.
Smith was unable to attend Friday's program as originally planned, but a tape of him in a 2002 interview was shown.
When asked what he learned from World War II that could be applied to the war on terrorism, Smith said that the keys are preparation, training and determination.
He said his Tuskegee training, combined with the determination to accomplish his mission, using all available resources, is what kept him alive during his 133 missions.
As a special tribute to Smith, Mahoning County Commissioners Anthony Traficanti and David Ludt presented a print, "Heroes of the Sky," to Post 6488. Created by local artist Ray Simon, the "Heroes of The Sky" has a painting of Smith in the cockpit superimposed on the print.
Pioneering pilots
The ability of the Tuskegee Airmen to overcome prejudice and segregation to become fighter pilots in the early 1940s led to the integration of the U.S. military, said Municipal Judge Robert Milich, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.
Of the 992 black pilots trained at Tuskegee, Ala., from 1940 to 1946, only about 100 remain alive, said Judge Milich, guest speaker at the program sponsored by VFW 6488 and its Ladies Auxiliary.
"They were pioneers. We can learn from them. They can be role models for us all," he said.
Tuskegee pilots were members of the 332nd Fighter Group in the Army Air Corps. As fighter escorts, the 332nd has the distinction of never losing a single bomber to enemy fire in some 200 combat missions.
Herman Adams was chairman of the event, which included the placing of a wreath at the base of the post flagpole by Henry Clarett and Tony Feldes, past commanders of the VFW Mahoning County Council. The Rayen School Junior ROTC Color Guard participated in the program, and Earl McAlway, Post 6488 chaplain, was master of ceremonies.
alcorn@vindy.com