Smith, Robert Kenneth

Robert Kenneth Smith

Steve Luker, Rockvale High School Image

Quick Facts

Significance:

338th Bomber Squadron, 96th Bomber Group

Place of Birth:

Concord, Tennessee

Date of Birth:

August 22, 1925

Place of Death:

North Lopham, UK

Date of Death:

January 29, 1945

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Robert Kenneth Smith was born on August 22, 1925 in Concord, Tennessee. He graduated from Rockvale High School in April of 1943 enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University. Shortly after his enrollment, he enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) on February 14, 1944 to serve in World War II. His enlistment rank was sergeant and he served with the 338th Bomber Squadron, 96th Bomber Group. His unit was typically tasked with strategic bombardment throughout their service time, bombing industrial areas such as harbors, rail stations, ship yards, etc., to cripple the Nazis. 

Sergeant Smith served as a ball turret gunner on a B17 bomber, his primary role was to protect the underside of the bomber from enemy fire. Ball turret gunners operate from a small, rotating sphere located beneath the aircraft. Tucked away in this small space, with feet in stirrups and sitting in the fetal position, the ball turret gunner would track fast moving targets while navigating the movements of the bomber itself. It is a fast paced, highly demanding position, and the role is crucial for a bomber fleet to function well and without obstruction, but also the most fatal. 

On January 29th, 1945, bomber squadrons departed at 07:15 from their base in Snetterton Heath, England, heading towards the Bielefield Marshalling yards at Kassel. Their primary target was the Locomotive Works in Rothenditmold, Germany and their secondary target was a passenger station in the same area. 44 B-17s departed, each loaded with 12 500lb general purpose bombs.

Shortly after take off, three B17s had to abort the mission for various reasons. One crippled bomber from the 100th bomber squadron attempted an emergency landing while flying over North Lopham, United Kingdom, due to the loss of a propeller on his #1 engine. Sergeant Smith's aircraft made an evasive maneuver to avoid a collision, but in the process, collided with a second bomber. The port wing of the second bomber hit the body of Smith's, causing it to explode. In the collision, the second bomber was split in half. Both aircraft hit the ground near North Lopham, UK and all 18 men from both aircraft died. 

Due to his passing in service, Sergeant Robert K Smith was awarded a Purple Heart. His remains were sent back home to his family in Concord, TN, and he was later laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot P-6303.