Service in World War II
In 1941, on the cusp of the United States entering into war, Smith dropped out of The Citadel to become "a Yank in the RAF" and begin flying with the famed Eagle squadron in England.
In 1942, a telegram was sent home to his family in Norfolk, Virginia informing them that Smith was shot down over France and was missing, presumed to be killed in action. In fact, while flying with 133 Eagle Squadron, Smith ran out of fuel and was forced to ditch his plane following a bomber escort mission gone awry. On 26 September 1942, the squadron was blown several hundred miles off course and was unable to return to their bases in England. Of the twelve pilots on the mission, nine were killed, one was taken prisoner, one managed to crash landed in England and Smith after bailing out over France. Smith evaded capture for four months in enemy territory (in spite of being unable to speak German or French). Using the railways and various disguises, Smith worked his way toward neutral territory. In the dead of winter, he crossed the Pyrenees, only to be captured and tortured in a Spanish prison before being released. His adventures are chronicled in Aircraft Down! Evading Capture in WWII Europe by Philip D. Caine (1997 Brassey's; Dulles, Virginia; ISBN 978-1-57488-086-1).
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