Robert Standish Smith

Second Lieutenant Smith studied mechanical engineering for two years at the University of Wisconsin--Madison. While attending the university, he lived with his family on a small farm.

2d Lt. Smith enlisted in 1941 and later chosen for flight training. He earned his wings as a twin engine aircraft pilot and in March, 1943, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He was stationed at Williams Field in Maricopa County, AZ.

He was killed in action while flying wounded soldiers from Italy to North Africa when the plane he was piloting crashed into a mountain near Caltagirone, Sicily, killing all on board the plane. Research indicates that at the time of this accident, he was with the 12th Troop Carrier Squadron of the 60th Troop Carrier Group. On board of his transport plane were British litter patients, as well as a wounded flight nurse. He was temporarily buried in the American cemetery in Sicily. After the war, his remains were exhumed and repatriated and buried in Forest Hill cemetery, Madison, WI.