Aircraft Action Report for 20 Jul 1944 (pg1)

Aircraft Action Report pg2

Aircraft Action Report pg3

Aircraft Action Report pg4

Aircraft Action Report pg5

Petty Officer Owen Smith was flying as special photographer (probably sitting in the seat behind the pilot) when he was lost on a pre-invasion air strike on Guam July 20th 1944. Where exactly they went down isn't known but their assigned target that day was just east of Amantes Point (Two Lovers Point). The next morning the invasion forces went ashore on Guam. July 21st is still celebrated every year as Liberation Day. Also killed was the pilot Lt Leonard Wood, gunner AOM3c Albert J. Sabol, and radioman ARM3c Edward C. Donahue. The aircraft was a TBM1-C with side number 96 and bureau number 45940 (sources: Yorktown report pg45, AAIR).

Grid map of Guam

After launching from the Yorktown they flew to their assigned target area but were then redirected to attack artillery and AA emplacements located just east of Amantes Point (highlighted in yellow). In a May 1999 conversation with LeRoy Kalousek he stated that Lt Woods was shot down over the beach with small arms fire and that they got hit while making a "picture" run after their first bomb run. It's not known how he knew this.

**Note: Petty Officer Smith was a member of the ships company of the USS Yorktown at the time of his death (or was on assignment from **"F.A. CinCPac"). He had previously served aboard the USS Saratoga.

PhoM1c Owen LeRoy Smith's marker at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego

Statement from James J. Donohue (cousin of ARM3c Edward Donahue):

"The aircraft was shot down by the Japanese and all perished. It was not until later when the 3rd Marine Division secured the island that they were found. They were interred on Guam pending identification which was not until 1951. At Owen Smith's mother's request, Owen and my cousin Edward were interred in Fort Rosecran's."

San Diego Union Obituaries March 27, 1951

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Tursday in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery for Owen L. Smith, PhM1, USN, who was killed in action July 20, 1944 at Guam.

The Merkley-Austin Mortuary is in charge.

Mr. Smith was a Hoover High School graduate. He is survived by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Leroy B. Smith of 4548 Highland Ave.; two brothers, Gene H., and LeRoy B. Smith, Jr., and an uncle, F. H. Harrison, all of San Diego. He was a member of the ships company of the USS Yorktown at the time of his death and previously had served aboard the USS Saratoga.