John Smith

Colonel John Lucian Smith, USMC, Medal of Honor

John Lucian Smith was born on 26 December 1914 in Lexington, Oklahoma. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1936, he briefly accepted a commission in the United States Army Field Artillery before resigning to join the United States Marine Corps. He completed flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola and was designated a naval aviator in 1939. Marine Corps History Division⁠

Following the United States’ entry into the Second World War, Smith was selected to command the newly formed Marine Fighting Squadron 223, known as the “Bulldogs.” Flying the Grumman F4F Wildcat, the squadron deployed to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in August 1942 as part of the Cactus Air Force. Smith had trained his largely inexperienced pilots intensively before their deployment and continued to lead them personally against Japanese bomber and fighter formations attacking the island.

Between 21 August and 15 September 1942, Smith destroyed sixteen Japanese aircraft. His leadership helped VMF-223 claim eighty-three enemy aircraft during the same period, despite its limited resources, primitive operating conditions and repeated opposition from numerically superior forces. Smith remained in combat into October and completed his Guadalcanal tour with nineteen confirmed aerial victories, making him one of the leading Marine Corps aces of the war. U.S. Naval Institute⁠

Smith received the Medal of Honor from President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House on 24 February 1943. He was also appointed a Companion of the British Distinguished Service Order for his gallantry and distinguished service during the Solomon Islands campaign.

Returning to the Pacific, Smith served as executive officer of Marine Aircraft Group 32 during operations in the Bismarck Archipelago and the Philippines. From November 1944 to June 1945, the group supported Allied ground and naval forces during the liberation of Luzon, Mindoro, Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago. Smith received the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” for his work coordinating these operations.

After the war, Smith held a succession of staff, operational and diplomatic appointments. He served as Marine Corps aide to the Chief of Naval Operations, joined the Standing Group of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and was promoted to colonel in 1951. During the Korean War he commanded Marine Aircraft Group 33 and later served as assistant chief of staff for logistics with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. He subsequently attended the National War College and served in senior training and liaison positions before retiring from the Marine Corps in 1960.

Colonel John Lucian Smith died in Los Angeles, California, on 9 June 1972, aged fifty-seven. He was buried with full military honours at Arlington National Cemetery. His nineteen confirmed victories, his leadership of VMF-223 and his decisive contribution to the defence of Guadalcanal established him as one of the outstanding Marine aviators of the Second World War.

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and heroic achievement in aerial combat above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO TWENTY-THREE, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, August–September, 1942. Repeatedly risking his life in aggressive and daring attacks, Major Smith led his squadron against a determined force, greatly superior in numbers, personally shooting down sixteen Japanese planes between August 21 and September 15, 1942. In spite of the limited combat experience of many of the pilots of this squadron, they achieved the notable record of a total of eighty-three enemy aircraft destroyed in this period, mainly attributable to the thorough training under Major Smith and to his intrepid and inspiring leadership. His bold tactics and indomitable fighting spirit and the valiant and zealous fortitude of the men of his command not only rendered the enemy’s attacks ineffective and costly to them but contributed to the security of our advance base. His loyal and courageous devotion to duty sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Franklin D. Roosevelt President of the United States

Official Marine Corps Medal of Honor citation⁠