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ORIGINAL!RARE! WW2 US MARINE CORPS ACE JOHN L. SMITH (MOH)(19V) 1942 OFFICIAL USMC PHOTO
RARE ITERATION OF WW2 US MARINE CORPS ACE JOHN L. SMITH (MOH)(19V) SEATED IN HIS F4F GRUMMAN WILDCAT ON NOVEMBER 23,1942 OFFICIAL USMC PHOTO.
John Lucian Smith(b.1914-d.1972) was an American Medal of Honor recipient and Marine Corps flying ace who, as commanding officer of VMF-223, shot down 19 Japanese planes in World War II in his F4F Grumman Wildcat and led his squadron to destroy a total of 83 enemy aircraft during the Solomon Islands campaign.Medal of Honor Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and heroic achievement in aerial combat above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 233 during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area, August-September 1942. Repeatedly risking his life in aggressive and daring attacks, Maj. Smith led his squadron against a determined force, greatly superior in numbers, personally shooting down 16 Japanese planes between 21 August and 15 September 1942. In spite of the limited combat experience of many of the pilots of this squadron, they achieved the notable record of a total of 83 enemy aircraft destroyed in this period, mainly attributable to the thorough training under Maj. Smith and to his intrepid and inspiring leadership. His bold tactics and indomitable fighting spirit, and the valiant and zealous fortitude of the men of his command not only rendered the enemy's attacks ineffective and costly to Japan, but contributed to the security of our advance base. His loyal and courageous devotion to duty sustains and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.PERIOD LARGE OFFICIAL U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO IDENTIFIED ON THE REVERSE:
22-A
File No: Our-12896 November 23, 1942.
Major John L. Smith, USMC
OFFICIAL U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTOGRAPH 8 1/8" x 9 15/16"SHARP FOCUS WITH VERY GOOD CONTRAST.
PERIOD PHOTOGRAPHER / GRAPHIC ARTIST CROP MARKS ON THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER MARGIN.
ON THE FRONT LEFT EDGE (2) PERIOD 1/4" FILE HOLES AND A PERIOD STAPLE'S HOLES.
CONDITION IS EXTREMELY FINE FOR ITS 82 + YEARS WITH SOME VERY LIGHT HANDLING
(please see pictures)
THIS PHOTOGRAPH IS NOT A REPRODUCTION OR A COPY.
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