Louis Edward Smith was the son of Jerry Morris Smith and Eva Jane Cox. He married Geraldine Dillard on 21 September 1941 in at Parl Memorial Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. They were the parents of two daughters, Jerry Louis Smith and Joye L. Smith.
He is buried at Lynnhurst Cemetery, Knoxville, Tenn.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31736040/louis-edward-smith
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, 13 February 1944:
Ensign Louis E. Smith, who has been stationed somewhere in the North Atlantic for the past 18 months, has returned to his post after visiting with his wife and baby at the home of his mother here. Ensign Smith is the son of Mrs. Eva Smith, 917 North Fifth Avenue. He graduated from Knoxville High School before joining the Navy four and a half years ago.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Sunday 28 January 1945:
Lt. (jg) Louis E. Smith, 26, son of Mrs. Eva Smith Frank, 917 North Fifth Avenue, was reported missing after a patrol bomber crashed into Jamaica Bay, N.Y. last Wednesday morning. A graduate of Knoxville High School before joining the Navy in 1939, Lt. Smith spent 18 months overseas. He had served somewhere in the North Atlantic. His wife, Mrs. Louis E. Smith, lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. No details of the plane’s crash has been disclosed to the family. Three men perished in the crash and five were rescued slightly injured.
24 JAN 45 A/C: PBY-5A Location: New York Strike: Yes BUNO: 048417 CAUSE: Take-off from Nas New York, normal climb to 2000-ft. While circling, starboard engine started cutting out, backfiring through the intake. A turn was made seaward to drop the depth charges and pilot called field tower to warn of impending emergency landing. Engine oil pressure dropped to zero during landing approach with gear down. Plane started to lose altitude rapidly and could not make the field, pilot was forced to attempt a water landing with wheels down. Plane crashed in Jamaica Bay at 0605.
“Strike” Crew:
Pilot Lt(jg) L. E. Smith USN/Killed
Lt J. C. Brown, Jr. USNR/Killed
Lt(jg) K. A. Perry USN/Minor injury
Amm2c V. S. Cook USNR/Minor injury
Amm3c F. C. Conner USNR/Minor injury
Amm3c G. C. Robinson USNR/Minor injury
Rm3c R. L. Meiston USN/Killed
Rm3c E. S. Baker USNR/Killed
Aom2c L. W. Copperhwheat/Minor injury
https://www.vpnavy.org/vp73_mishap.html
- Rank: Lieutenant (jg)
- Date of birth: 3 July 1918
- Date of death: 24 January 1945
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Navy
- Theater: North Africa, Sicily
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: North Atlantic
- Burial/Memorial Location: Lynnhurst Cemetery, Knoxville, TN
- Contact us to sponsor Louis E. Smith
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