The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Donavon Francis Smith (ASN: 0-665628), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on a bomber escort mission against military objectives in the heavily-defended area of Emden, Germany, on 11 December 1943. Near the target the bombers were attacked by a large force of rocket-firing enemy fighters. Disregarding the enemy’s superiority in numbers and fire power and the danger from attack by fighters known to be flying above the rocket-carrying aircraft, Lieutenant Smith’s flight attacked and became engaged with five ME-110 type fighters. Lieutenant Smith himself destroyed one enemy plane and damaged another. In the heat of battle Lieutenant Smith became separated from his flights and while trying to rejoin he observed an ME-110 airplane below and made a diving attack. He was immediately attacked by a FW-190 fighter from above, and without regard to his personal safety, Lieutenant Smith continued his attacks and destroyed the enemy plane. He then maneuvered into position for a head-on attack against his pursuer. Holding a collision course and firing accurately, Lieutenant Smith closed to such a short range that his enemy, fearing collision, bailed out, leaving his airplane to crash. Through his heroism and exceptional flying skill on this occasion, Lieutenant Smith rendered distinguished and valorous service to our nation. His unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
61st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
56th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Donavon Francis Smith (ASN: 0-665628), 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 as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations 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.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
October 23, 1966 – March 1, 1968
Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 26 (1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Donavon Francis Smith (ASN: 0-665628), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States and the Republic of Vietnam, as Chief of the Air Force Advisory Group, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, and as Senior Air Force Advisor to the Commander, Vietnamese Air Force, from 23 October 1966 to 1 March 1968. In this important and sensitive assignment, General Smith provided ingenuity, leadership, and persuasive guidance to the entire United States Air Force advisory efforts to make the Vietnamese Air Force an effective air arm for eventual self-defense of its homeland. The significance of this great task in accomplishing and meeting established goals of teaching, training, and modernizing an antiquated and undersized Air Force, while actually engaged in armed conflict with a hostile force, further underscores the exceptional abilities and fortitude of this outstanding leader. The multiple and distinctive accomplishments of General Smith in this responsible position reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
61st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
56th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 84 (September 15, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Donavon Francis Smith (ASN: 0-665628), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight and the destruction of two enemy airplanes while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
61st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
56th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 28 (April 5, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Donavon Francis Smith (ASN: 0-665628), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Lieutenant Smith has accomplished thirty fighter combat missions or the equivalent thereof over enemy occupied Continental Europe and has destroyed two enemy airplanes in aerial combat. 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.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
May 6, 1968 – June 30, 1973
Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 26 (1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Donavon Francis Smith (ASN: 0-665628), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Smith distinguished himself as Vice Commander, NINTH Air Force, and Commander, NINETEENTH Air Force, Tactical Air Command; as Director of Operational Requirements and Development Plans and Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force; and as Commander, Alaskan Air Command, from 6 May 1968 to 30 June 1973. In these important assignments, the forceful leadership and the outstanding and dedicated efforts of General Smith were significantly displayed in the strategic direction of the United States Air Force’s mission. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Smith reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 1, 1963 – October 7, 1966
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-319 (November 14, 1966)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Donavon Francis Smith (ASN: 0-665628), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, Defense Division and as Deputy Director for Strategic and Defense Forces, Directorate of Operational Requirements and Development Plans, Deputy Chief of Staff, Research and Development, Headquarters United States Air Force, from 1 July 1963 to 7 October 1966. During this period, the outstanding professional skill, leadership, dedication, foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Smith have resulted in invaluable improvements to the combat operational capabilities, the force posture and responsiveness of the Air Force. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Smith have assisted in the development of a more modern Air Force capable of providing greater defense for our nation and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
61st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
56th Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Donavon Francis Smith (ASN: 0-665628), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations 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.