John K. Smith

Left Formation May 7, 2017

From the 95th BG Memorials Foundation Facebook page:

In very deep sadness, the Memorials Foundation and the Heritage Association report the recent passings of John K. Smith and his wife Ruth. John was a 334th bombardier and former POW. May both he and Ruth rest in peace.

The Smiths' son John wrote Linda Endris this morning that "my mother, Ruth, passed away on March 7, 2017, and my father, John K., passed away on May 7, 2017. Both were 100 years old at the time of their death. They were in good health for most of their lives and were well cared for at the time of their passing." John also stated that the family "appreciated the Veterans Day and birthday greetings that have been sent in the past."

John K. Smith, age 100, native of Chicago, longtime resident of Hammond and Dunedin, FL; former employee of Inland Steel, later by Local Union 1010 and then with the United Steel Workers International Union until his retirement in 1978. John was the beloved husband of the late Ruth E, nee White; loving father of John K. (Genger) Smith of Tennessee and Betsy (Mark) Cowan, of Schererville; proud grandfather of Ellie Smith, Julie Smith, Liz Bukur and John Cowan and great-grandfather of two: Connor and Harper; dear brother of Ellen White and the late James; fond uncle of Sara Donovan, Lisa Hilardes, Mimi Young, Cheryl Smith, Christine Herner and Sydney White. He is preceded in death by three nephews and a niece. Mr. Smith was a WWII veteran.

He served as a bombardier on a B-17. On his 18th mission his plane was shot down over Germany and he was taken prisoner. He was interned in a German POW camp for 9 months before being returned to the U.S. in a prisoner of war exchange in 1943. He retired from the USAF as a First Lieutenant in 1946. His service awards include the Purple Heart and Air Medal. Services including interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be private. Arrangements handled by Gibbons Funeral Home, Elmhurst, IL 630-832-0018 or gibbonsfuneralhome.com