Gerald Robert Smith was born on October 11, 1920, in Rogers City, Michigan. He was the son of Oscar W Smith. He was married to Helen L. Smith. He enlisted in the service on June 20, 1942. He served in the 765th Bomb Squadron, 461st Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot of B-24J #42-52025 nicknamed “Arsenic and Lace” during World War II.

On December 17, 1944, the ''Arsenic and Lace'' took off from Torretta Airfield in Italy as part of a 15th Air Force mission to bomb the Odertal synthetic oil refinery in German-occupied Silesia. The formation was heavily engaged by German fighters near the target. At about 26,000 feet, Arsenic and Lace was hit and exploded in the air. Parts of the Liberator came down on the outskirts of Olomouc, in today’s Czech Republic, with wreckage falling by the Neředín Cemetery. Five of the crew of Arsenic and Lace were killed in action, while the rest were taken prisoner.

2Lt Smith was captured and imprisoned at Stalag Luft in Barth, Germany. He was honorably discharged from the service on November 30, 1945. He died on August 5, 2003, and currently, we don't have details about his burial location.

Source of information: 461st.org, www.americanairmuseum.com