My Time in Pensacola with the DFC Society
By
Larry N. Smith, M.D.
In 2004, when I started writing my book Darwin’s War, about the 416th Bomb Group’s experiences in World War II, I never imagined where the process would take me. Following its publication, I have been given the honor to speak to many groups over the last year about the book and the important missions that the 416th BG flew to help win the war. Without reservation, though, the most meaningful and memorable event was my time in Pensacola, Florida, where I had the distinct honor of addressing the decorated members of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society.
Having always been a devotee of WW II aircraft, I enjoyed the tours of the restoration facilities and the Naval Air Station Museum. Even though I am the progeny of a US Air Force officer, I find all aircraft from the WW II period historically interesting. The sight and sound of a radial engine on a P-47, a Navy Wild Cat or a B-25 Mitchell are all equally exhilarating. I must admit, though, that I have a weakness for A-20 Havocs and A-26 Invaders, because these were the aircraft that the 416th BG flew for the US Army Air Corps during the war. It was unlikely that I would ever see these aircraft at a Naval Air Museum. Even so, because of having written my book Darwin’s War, I have a much deeper appreciation for the men who have flown aircraft of all types into battle. From the old biplanes to the modern-day weapons of aerial warfare, I have come to realize it is through memorializing the aircraft and the battles that we honor the men — and now women — who have flown them into harm’s way. This appreciation for all aviators was ratified by watching the Blue Angels perform their precision aerial display that chilly morning during the Pensacola reunion.
Prior to attending the reunion, at the request of Michael O’Neil, I had researched my father’s discharge papers and award record and learned that he had been awarded the DFC during WW-II in France, for valor under fire. This message of duty, honor, country, valor and sacrifice was symbolized to me with the posthumous recognition and induction of my father into the DFC Society. It was with great humility and pride that I accepted his membership into your society. I was equally humbled by being award an honorary lifetime membership in the society because of my father’s commitment to our country. As I stated then, I did not have the time to meet all of you personally, but I feel that I am now part of the team as an honorary member of your elite group. I can only imagine, but never truly appreciate, the battlefield circumstances from World War II through Korea, Vietnam and now the desert wars of Iraq and Afghanistan under which the members of the DFC Society earned their recognition. Nevertheless, I can say, “Thank you.”
It was with this profound humility that I then addressed the membership and discussed the central theme of my book and reviewed the important missions that the 416th BG flew during their time of service in the European Theater of Operations during WW II. Although only a small part of the overall war, their efforts and sacrifices helped bring the war to its successful conclusion. Without this global victory, life as we know it today would be profoundly different. I would be negligent if I did not take time to thank those of you who have chosen to buy my book Darwin’s War. It was recently recognized with two finalist awards in the 2009 New Generation Indie Book Awards for History/Historical Non-fiction and Best Cover Design. Again, the two awards are an honor for a first-time author and are recognition and validation for the time spent writing and honoring the veterans of the Ninth Air Force’s 416th Bomb Group. I must admit, though, that my greatest rewards have come in the form of letters, e-mails and phone calls from the remaining 416th veterans or their family members, who have ranged from wives to great-grandchildren. Their comments of appreciation for the accurate representations of all the members of the group — from ground crew to pilots — has been recognition enough for a job well done. Any accolade beyond this is icing on the cake, but the awards help me appreciate that I have appropriately honored the men of the 416th and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
I am looking forward to the October 2010 Riverside reunion. The dedication ceremony of the Memorial and Flyers Wall is a noble and appropriate recognition for those who have risked it all. Let me close by saying thank you for having made my father and me a member of your society. I hope that I have conveyed to you all the sincere humility and honor with which I look upon this recognition. I hope the society continues to grow as new recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross are inducted, and I am proud to be part of it.
Reproduced with Permission of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society