During WW II, Navy Aviation RM3 Class Peter L. Smith doggedly helped battle the Japanese from the Solomon Islands to Okinawa. Thanks in part to the unflagging efforts of his son, the sailor’s efforts to help win the war in the Pacific have finally been recognized with the Distinguished Flying Cross

Smith enlisted in the Navy in February 1942, initially as a storekeeper, but soon volunteered for flying duty and completed training as an aviation radioman and an air gunner

In June 1943, Smith was assigned to VC-28, a composite squadron operating out of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. During that time, he was part of a three-man crew manning a TBF Avenger torpedo bomber and participated in 15 combat missions supporting ground troops at New Georgia in the Solomon Islands.

He was then reassigned to Torpedo Squadron 28, a carrier-based squadron embarked with the light aircraft carrier Monterey in 1944.

“During his time with VT-28, Smith flew in operations to retake the Marianas, Saipan, Tinian and Southern Palau from Japanese forces,” according to the release. “He also supported the assaults on the Philippines and strikes against Okinawa.”

In all, Smith helped carry out more than 150 combat and support missions with Torpedo Squadron 28.

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2023/08/21/distinguished-flying-cross-awarded-to-wwii-aviation-radioman/

https://www.navy.mil/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/Print.aspx?PortalId=1&ModuleId=523&Article=3497577