About the Author

As the son of an Air Force officer and World War II veteran, author Dr. Larry N. Smith has heard the stories of the 416th for much of his life. By attending reunions of the 416th, Smith has met the many airmen who, along with his father, endured the conflict. Now he’s transformed their first-person accounts into a document that reflects his training and experience as a physician. Smith earned his M.D. from the University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences in 1985. A member of several professional medical societies including the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Smith practiced otolaryngology for nearly twenty years. He has written numerous journal articles as well as editorials on the economics of medicine for publications such as Barron’s. He is currently drafting a history of health insurance. Smith resides in Gainesville, FL, with his wife and children.

12 Comments »

  1. Comment by WES CHITTY — June 25, 2008 @ 11:14 pm

    can nt wait to get a copy. hope to see you at topsail island in october. will be accompanied by 3 0f my 4 daughters. good write up

  2. Comment by WES CHITTY — July 26, 2008 @ 6:04 pm

    HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN A COPY. ANY SUGGESTIONS? WES CHITTY

  3. Comment by Nance Lempinen-Leedy — October 28, 2008 @ 1:08 pm

    Hello!
    Thanks for your recent telephone call to our library. I just wanted to let you know that we have purchased a copy of your book for the Lawrence W. Tyree Library at Santa Fe College. Thanks and good luck with the book!

    Nance Lempinen-Leedy
    Reference Librarian

  4. Comment by Tania Warren — November 11, 2008 @ 10:48 pm

    Hello Dr. Smith, my name is Tania Warren and my father served with your father in the 416. I have been trying to research my fathes war time records and events that took place. I was wondering if you came across the name of Staff Sargent Italo R. DeGiusti in any of your research or your fathers recolections of the war. I would appreciate any comments that you might have on the subject. I have been chatting with Ralph Conte for a few years he the author of A History of the 416th Bomb Group, ATTACK BOMBERS WE NEED YOU,on the subject and he is the one who advised me concerning your book. I am looking forward to reading it for another view of their accomplishments. Thanking you in advance for any information that you might have on my dad. Tania Warren @msn.com

  5. Comment by Melly @ the Westside Postal Center — November 20, 2008 @ 5:56 pm

    Congrats on your book :) Best of luck!

  6. Comment by Bill Potter — March 17, 2009 @ 2:53 pm

    Dr. Smith,
    I would love to have you bring your program on Darwin’s War to The Circa History Guild in Alpharetta. If you will send me an email, we can perhaps schedule a time in the coming months. Great book!
    Thanks,
    Bill Potter

  7. Comment by Philip Andrews — July 5, 2009 @ 3:04 pm

    Dear Dr. Smith

    I had the pleasure to meet and talk to you, listen to your talk last week in Roswell, GA. (The Englishman)

    Thank you for the talk Your book is the next line to start reading which I look forward to.

    Many thanks

    Philip Andrews

  8. Comment by william stoffs — February 18, 2011 @ 2:31 am

    Sir,
    I am in your immuno-class but discovered your web page only today.
    My father was a world 11 vet, while I am a vietnam
    and gulf war (1990) medic.
    I served in Okinawa (1967-1969) and Patrick Air Force Station at Cape Canaveral from 1969-1970 working on Minuteman 111 MIRV research.
    Perhaps more interesting to you would be the potential for genocide that we (498th tactical tactical missle Group, commanded by Lt. Col Spears, during the years 1967-1969
    There are not a whole lot of us left, but contrary to my MOS, I was not in missle electronics. I was secondary launch officer under the two man system required by all crews (SAC included).
    I am interested in bringing this to your attention because of the many lies produced during the Johnston administration.
    To wit: The United States had no nukes in Japan.(lie)
    2. The United States would never initiate a preemptive strike. (I practiced many).
    Our targets were military in nature. My targets were cities.

    The combined nuclear strike on North Korea and China would have produced more than 40 million dead and wounded, as we were using 1.2 megaton Mark 1 thermonuclear weapons.
    I have never discussed this before but my security clearance has long since ran out, but somebody should know about this portion of our Cold war history.
    Sincerely: William Stoffs, Captain,
    U.S.A.F. AF16929119
    A.S. B.S, B.S.

  9. Comment by william stoffs — February 18, 2011 @ 2:33 am

    Security clearance:Top Secret, Crypto, SIOP, ESI

  10. Comment by darwinswar — February 25, 2011 @ 11:01 pm

    William,
    I would like to talk with you about these issues. Looking forward to learning more.

  11. Comment by Nancy Baird Steele — May 15, 2011 @ 3:33 pm

    Hi Larry! I am so impressed with your accomplishments. Long time since Rockwood. I live in Jax. If you are ever up here, let me know.
    Best wishes,
    Nancy

  12. Comment by darwinswar — May 15, 2011 @ 4:54 pm

    It was good to see you on FaceBook. I am new to it so just learning how it works. I will call you when I am up that way. What is a good number?
    Have found a few people from Rockwood and have tried to communicate but i don’t get on face book as much as I thought I would.
    Spend most of my time writing.
    Larry

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