[John L. Smith oral history interview]

Fighter ace John L. Smith discusses his military service with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time with Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VFM-223) in the Pacific Theater. Topics discussed include his training and service history, squadron operations at Guadalcanal, and notable combat missions and aerial victories.

John L. Smith was born on December 26, 1914 in Oklahoma. While in college, he received an ROTC commission in the United States Army Field Artillery but resigned in order to join the Marine Corps. Smith graduated from Navy flight training in 1939 and served with Marine Fighting Squadron 121 (VMF-121) at Midway. In 1942, Smith took command of the newly formed Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223), which deployed to Guadalcanal aboard the USS Long Island (CVE-1). Operating out of Henderson Field, Smith’s squadron scored over 100 aerial victories during their tour, and Smith himself was awarded the Medal of Honor for “conspicuous gallantry and heroic achievement in aerial combat above and beyond the call of duty.” Smith remained in the military after the end of World War II and went on to serve in a number of command and staff positions, including commanding Marine Air Group 33 (MAG-33). Retiring as a colonel in 1960, he later worked for Grumman Aerospace and Rocketdyne. Smith passed away in 1972.