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(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Stanton Thomas Smith, Jr. (ASN: 0-23266), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Deputy Commanding Officer, 80th Fighter Group, in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    48th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Action Date:

    1956 – 1959
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Stanton Thomas Smith, Jr. (ASN: 0-23266), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, in France, from 1956 to 1959.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    1951 – 1952
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Stanton Thomas Smith, Jr. (ASN: 0-23266), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, Far East Air Force, from 1951 – 1952.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    49th Fighter-Bomber Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1950 – 1951
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Stanton Thomas Smith, Jr. (ASN: 0-23266), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group, and later with Headquarters, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea, from 1950 to 1951.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    49th Fighter-Bomber Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 25, 1950
    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 113 (November 16, 1950)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel Stanton Thomas Smith, Jr. (AFSN: 0-23266), United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of an F-80 Shooting Star Fighter-Bomber, and as Commanding Officer of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action in Korea, on 25 July 1950. Colonel Smith volunteered to lead a flight of F-80 type aircraft of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Group on a hazardous night intruder mission from an airbase in Japan against an enemy strong point in Korea. With only standard fighter aircraft instruments Colonel Smith led his flight through below marginal weather direct to the target area at Taejon, Korea, where he aggressively attacked the surprised enemy’s supply center and troop concentrations. Determined to exploit this advantage to the fullest, Colonel Smith pressed repeated attacks against the enemy despite increasingly accurate automatic weapons fire, withdrawing only when his ammunition was totally expended. Again demonstrating superior airmanship, this officer led his flight through mountainous terrain direct to its home base of operations. This highly successful mission, the first night combat mission by jet type aircraft in the history of the Air Force, was accomplished at great risk and disregard for personal safety. The outstanding courage, determination and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Smith on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    80th Fighter Group

    Division:

    China-Burma-India Theater

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Stanton Thomas Smith, Jr. (ASN: 0-23266), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Deputy Commanding Officer, 80th Fighter Group, in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    Headquarters

    Division:

    Air Defense Command

    Action Date:

    1963 – 1966
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Stanton Thomas Smith, Jr. (ASN: 0-23266), United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Air Defense Command, from 1963 to 1966.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    80th Fighter Group

    Division:

    China-Burma-India Theater

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Stanton Thomas Smith, Jr. (ASN: 0-23266), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Deputy Commanding Officer, 80th Fighter Group, in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    80th Fighter Group

    Division:

    China-Burma-India Theater

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Stanton Thomas Smith, Jr. (ASN: 0-23266), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Deputy Commanding Officer, 80th Fighter Group, in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    49th Fighter-Bomber Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    Korean War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Stanton Thomas Smith, Jr. (ASN: 0-23266), United States Air Force, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    80th Fighter Group

    Division:

    China-Burma-India Theater

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Stanton Thomas Smith, Jr. (ASN: 0-23266), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Deputy Commanding Officer, 80th Fighter Group, in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.