2nd Lt. John J. Smith

Mass of Requiem For Lt. Smith

Pilot Was In England Just 16 Days
Before Crash That Caused His Death

(Jan. 18, 1945) -- Army Air Force pilot 2nd Lt. John J. Smith, 28 of New Street, was killed over England when the B-17 he was flying collided with another Flying Fortress on Jan. 5.

It was one of the first times piloting a B-17 for Smith, who had trained on B-24s.

Smith entered service on April 1943. He trained at Kessler Field, Miss; Helena, Ark., Maxwell Field, Ala., Greenville, Miss, and Lawrenceville, Ill.

He received six months additional training in Texas, Nebraska, and Idaho.

He last saw his wife and son on Nov. 28 before he left for overseas on December 11.

Lt. Smith was also known for his 4-piece orchestra "The Crestmen" at Belleville High School.

2nd. Lt. John J. Smith, U.S. Army Air Forces

O-833229

848th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bomber Group, Large

Entered the Service from: New Jersey
Died: January 5, 1945

Buried at: Plot F Row 1 Grave 116
Cambridge American Cemetery
Cambridge, England

Sources

American Battle Monuments Commission

Belleville Times, Feb. 8, 1945

Newark Evening News, Feb. 1, 1945