Forgrave Marshall "Hiram" Smith

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SMITH, W/C Forgrave Marshall (37613) - Mention in Despatches - unit unknown
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 8 June 1944.

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SMITH, W/C Forgrave Marshall (37613) - Distinguished Flying Cross
Award effective 23 October 1945 as per London Gazette dated 30 October 1945 and
AFRO 133/46 dated 8 February 1946.
Air Ministry Bulletin 20075/AL.1095 refers.

Wing Commander Smith has completed four tours of operational duty. His first and second tours were completed during the Battle of Britain and consisted of interception sorties, convoy patrols and day and night air cover over Dunkirk, France and Belgium. His third operational tour was completed in the Middle East and his fourth in Burma. This officer has destroyed at least five enemy aircraft and damaged others. He has recently taken part in operations against Japanese lines of communications over mountainous and dangerous country. As Wing Commander (Flying) of his present unit he has displayed exceptional keenness at all times.

NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9287 has original recommendation by G/C G.P. Marvin dated 27 July 1945 when he was credited with 346 hours operational flying time and was Wing Commander (Flying) of No.902 Wing, No.224 Group.

Wing Commander Smith is in his fourth operational tour and has carried out 280 operational sorties involving 346 hours flying.

This officer's first and second tours were carried out during the Battle of Britain and consisted of interception, convoy patrols, day and night air cover over Dunkirk and sweeps over France and Belgium during which time he carried out 236 operational sorties involving 300 hours flying. During the Battle of Britain he was wounded in the head by a cannon shell. His third tour was carried out in the Middle East and consisted of bomber escorts and fighter sweeps over Alamein involving 16 sorties totalling 17 hours flying. This tour was terminated on his posting to India.

During the above operational tours he has destroyed three Ju.88s, one Do.17, one Me.109 and damaged one Me.110 and three Me.109s.

Wing Commander Smith is now in his fourth operational tour and has carried out 28 operational sorties involving 30 hours flying in the Burma theatre of operations. He has taken part in escort to bombers, bombing and ground strafing Japanese positions and sampans over the worst type of country to be found in any theatre of operations. His record shows that he has been almost continuously on operational flying throughout the present hostilities.

As Wing Commander Sweep Leader during his present tour he has displayed exceptional keenness and has at all times set a very high example to the pilots of the squadrons in the wing.

To this, the Air Officer Commanding, No.224 Group, adds on 4 August 1945:

During his appointment as Wing Commander Flying in the Burma campaign Wing Commander Smith has displayed a fine sense of leadership and his courage and devotion to duty have been largely responsible for the offensive spirit of this wing. This and his previous operational record make him worthy of the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for which he is strongly recommended.

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S/L  I. N. Bayles, CO of 273 Sq. & his W/C (902 RAF) "Hiram" Smith. Ramree island Burma '45

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Victories include :

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--- Canadian Aces ---

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