Lt. Chadwick Boyd Smith (1929-1953)

SMITH, BOYD, JAMES

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/14/2024 at 19:03:31

From Story City Herald July 1, 1954 (page 1)

Lt. Chadwick Boyd Smith was born in Minneapolis, June 13, 1929 to Chadwick Buford Smith and Nettie Boyd Smith. On June 15th, 1953, flying his fifty-fourth combat mission as flight commander over railway installations in North Korea, he failed to return to his base and since that time no further word has been received about him or his whereabouts; consequently, according to congressional war ruling, he has now been declared officially dead. He was twenty-four years and two days old when this tragedy occurred.

Chad's father passed away very suddenly when his only child was but two years old. He then came with his mother to make his home in Story City where he received his education, graduating with honors in the class of 1947. He then spent one year at Iowa State college, transferring to the State University of Iowa in his sophomore year, from which institution he received his B. A. degree in Mathematics at graduation exercises on Feb. 3, 1951, winning high military honors, being one of the three members of his class to receive a regular commission in the U. S. Air Force. He was one of eight receiving recognition for outstanding qualities of military leadership, high moral character, definite aptitude for the military service with current academic standing in military subjects in the upper third of the R. O. T. C. class.

In Military Training

Following his graduation he went into further military training as a student officer at various air bases, graduating from the Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona. He received the following letter of commendation:

To 2nd Lt. Chadwick Boyd Smith, 21832 A. Class 52, 17 F.G.
1. The Board of Officers appointed by Special Orders No. 24, par 6, Headquarters, Luke AFB, Glendale, Arizona, dated 10 April, 1952, selected you as the outstanding Fighter-Bomber Pilot, Class 52-17-FC. This selection was based of proficiency in Flying Training, Fighter Weapons, Scores, Military Bearing and Courtesy, and Discipline, Academic Record and General Attitude while training.
2. You are to be congratulated on your outstanding record while at this station. I commend you for your example you have set by your constant efforts and personal conduct has been essential to your success in molding yourself into a competent combat pilot. The results of your efforts here will bring you continued success wherever you may fly.
3. I express the best wishes of the entire personnel of Luke Air Force Base in congratulating you upon your outstanding record. We all wish you the best of luck and Good Hunting.
4. A copy of this commendation will be included in your personal 201 File.
T. L. Mosely, Colonel USAF Commanding.

Enters Active Service

After a short leave spent at home, he left Sept. 17, 1952 for assignment to active duty in Korea.

While at the University he met a Polish boy who was a foreign student assignee. The following tribute from Jay Zawaduy is one of the finest that could be given anyone:
"If I ever met a boy who could become a symbol of the best qualities of American youth, Chad is the man. I am and I will always be proud that he called me his friend."

It is no unmerited praise when said that Story City's gifts to its country's heroic dead includes it finest sons, and to this splendid roll of honor, Chad's name adds a bright new luster, to be remembered by all who have known him with the deepest respect and admiration.

He is survived by his grief-stricken mother, Mrs. Stanton James, and a host of fond relatives and friends.