Leonard Leroy Smith

Ensign, United States Naval Reserve

Navy Cross

Leonard LeRoy Smith was only 25 when he flew his torpedo plane off the carrier, Yorktown, on 4 Jun 1942. He gave his life as a heroic participant in one of the most momentous battles in world history. I've had to rewrite a large portion of my previous biography because I just received his US Navy Service Record from the National Archives in St. Louis, MO. It contains 178 pages of documents and one lopsided photo. It is full of facts not known before so a rewrite was in order.

LEONARD LE ROY SMITH was born in Hamilton, Ravalli, Montana on 27 April 1917. He was the youngest son of Harry Lloyd Smith and Helen Ita Hickey who married on 06 April 1910 in Hamilton, Ravalli, MT. Leonard's siblings were Della Jane, and Lloyd Mason Smith. Lloyd was a WWII veteran of the US Army Air Corps. Harry worked as an electric lineman for the Montana power company in Hamilton and Missoula, MT. After moving to Ontario, San Bernardino, CA, Harry worked for the San Bernardino Gas & Electric company.

The Smith family moved to Ontario, San Bernardino, CA area in 1925. Leonard attended the Ontario, California Junior High School followed by Chaffey High School. In high school, Leonard's subject majors were English, Shop, Mathematics and History. He was active in sports playing football and participating in Track. He was also active in high school clubs: Aviation, Hi-Y, Anthology and Physical Science. Leonard graduated from Chaffey High School on 06 June 1935 in commencement exercises held in the Chaffey amphitheater. He continued his education entering Chaffey Junior College (CJC) in Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, CA, on 10 Sept 1935. He graduated on 11 June 1937 with an Associate of Arts degree (He studied the German language for 2 semesters). While at Chaffey JC he majored in Political Science. He was active in sports participating in football and track. Leonard worked for three summers at a service station; 2 summers as a school bus driver at Chaffey J.C.; truck driving during one summer and one summer working for a roofing company. According to the 1940 US Census during 1939 he worked only six weeks and in early 1940 he was employed as a filling station attendant.

In Jan 1939, Leonard enrolled in the civilian pilot training program at CJC. His first course was in aviation meteorology and air navigation. Later that year, Leonard submitted his application for the Volunteer United States Naval Reserve V-5 flight training program on 13 Oct 1939 at the Naval Reserve Aviation Base (NRAB), Long Beach, CA. He passed a physical exam, provided high school and college transcripts, and wrote a personal resume. On 15 Jan 1940, he began Preliminary elimination flight training. On 14 Jun 1940, Leonard sat for an interview with the Naval Reserve Flight Selection Board for class No. 4-1941. He received a mark of 3.4 in potential ability as an officer and naval aviator. He was recommended by the board for flight training in the Naval Reserve.

He enlisted in the V-5 program for a period of 4 years at the NRAB, Long Beach, California on 08 Oct 1940 as a Seaman Second Class (S2c) with a service number of 412-19-17. He was released from active duty later that day. On 15 Oct 1940, he received orders to report for Primary Elimination Flight training at NRAB, Long Beach. He successfully completed the Primary course on 13 Nov 1940 in the N3N-1 landplanes. He flew a total of 11.0 hrs and soloed (a requirement) for 0.6 hrs and checks in N3N-1 for 1.0 hrs flight time. Total flying time for the course was 12.6 hrs. His standing in the class of seventeen students was eleventh. He was qualified and placed on the eligible list and returned to inactive duty to await further orders.

He received a letter from the Secretary of the Navy on 11 Dec 1940 appointing him an Aviation Cadet with a date of rank of 16 Dec 1940. The same day, he received a letter issued by the Navy Department ordering Smith to the Naval Air Station (NAS), Pensacola (Pcola) on 30 Dec 1940 to commence flight training. On 20 Dec 1940, S2c Smith was issued a good discharge under honorable conditions at the NRAB, Long Beach to accept an appointment as an Aviation Cadet. The next day Smith took the oath of office and accepted the appointment as an Aviation Cadet. He agreed to serve for a continuous period of four years on active duty, unless sooner released. He was authorized to drive his personal vehicle (POV) from Long Beach, CA to NAS Pcola. He began his trip to Pensacola on Christmas Day 1940 and arrived on 29 Dec at 10 A.M. He drove 2247 miles. He received a total reimbursement of $74.16. He reported to the Commandant, NAS Pensacola on 30 Dec whereupon he was assigned to flight class 158-C and commenced flight training under instruction. On 31 Jan 1941, Smith applied for a $10,000.00 government life insurance policy. His beneficiary was his mother.

On 04 June 1941, Smith completed his intermediate flight training under instruction at Pensacola. He detached from duty and transferred to Opa-Laka, FL and NAS, Miami for temporary active duty undergoing specialized training for pilots who will fly carrier-based aircraft. He was authorized to use his POV to travel. On 07 June, Smith arrived at NAS Miami. On 21 July, Smith received his appointment as a Naval Aviator (Heavier-Than-Air) #7942. On 29 July 1941, he took the oath of office and accepted his commission as an Ensign, A-V(N), US Naval Reserve with a date of rank of 03 June 1941. He stood 54 in a class of 75. He accumulated a total of 165.9 hours of flight time during the course of his flight training. On 30 Jun 1941, Ensign Smith was issued a uniform allowance of $150.00.

Following his commissioning, he received orders to report to Torpedo Squadron Three (VT-3) for duty involving flying via temporary duty with the Advanced Carrier Training Group (ACTG) in San Diego. He detached from NAS Miami on 07 Aug 1941 and commenced travel with leave to San Diego. After completing that assignment, Ensign Smith reported for duty to VT-3 on 20 Aug 1941. VT-3 was attached to the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3).

Saratoga was in a refit/overhaul status most of 1941, therefore, her attached squadrons, including VT-3, were based at several Naval Air Stations in Hawaii or the west coast. On 07 Dec 1941, Saratoga was entering San Diego to embark her air group, which was ashore while she was undergoing refit. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, she became the flagship of an unsuccessful American effort to relieve Wake Island. A few weeks later on 11 Jan 1942 Saratoga was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. She steamed to Pearl Harbor for temporary repairs arriving on 13 Jan 1942. She returned to the Bremerton Navy Yard for permanent repairs on 09 Feb 1942. During the yard period Saratoga's embarked squadrons were transferred elsewhere. VT-3 was assigned first to NAS Pearl Harbor at Ford Island then to NAS Kaneohe Bay on Hawaii.

On 28 May 1942, the VT-3 was temporarily reassigned to the aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown (CV-5). Aviation squadrons from Air Group Three and Five flew on board Yorktown shortly after she steamed from Pearl Harbor and later joined the USS Hornet (CV-8) and USS Enterprise (CV-6). They steamed to a point on the navigation chart nicknamed "Point Luck" to await the arrival of the Japanese Striking Force which was steaming from Japan to attack Midway Island.

About a week later on 4 June 1942, Ensign Smith and his gunner, Aviation Radioman Third Class (ARM3) Raymond J. Darce, launched their Douglas TBD-1 #T5 (BuNo 0312) from the Yorktown (CV-5) with other squadrons of the Yorktown air group to attack the Japanese Striking Forces approaching Midway. Although they had some friendly fighter protection VT-3 had to thread their way through a gauntlet of swarming enemy fighters and a hail of anti-aircraft fire. Of the twelve planes that took off from the Yorktown that morning only two survived the attack. Ens. Smith and Petty Officer Darce did not return from this mission, and they were listed as missing in action on 04 Jun 1942. Their remains were unrecoverable.

The Smith family was notified via telegram on 18 Jun that their son was missing in the service of his country. On 5 Jun 1943, he was presumed dead.

Ens. Smith was awarded the Navy Cross, Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/Fleet Clasp w/two bronze stars, and the World War II Victory Medal.

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The President of the United States takes pleasure in

presenting the NAVY CROSS to

ENSIGN LEONARD L. SMITH

UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For extraordinary heroism as pilot of an airplane of Torpedo Squadron THREE in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. Participating in a torpedo plane assault against Japanese naval units, Ensign Smith, in the face of tremendous anti-aircraft fire and overwhelming fight opposition, pressed home his attack to the point where it became relatively certain that, in order to accomplish his mission, he would probably sacrifice his life. Undeterred by the grave possibilities of such a hazardous offensive, he carried on, with extreme disregard for his own personal safety, until his squadron scored direct hits on two enemy aircraft carriers. His self-sacrificing gallantry and fortitude were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

For the President,

signed Frank Knox

Secretary of the Navy

Transcription of original copy of the Navy Cross citation from his service record obtained from the National Archives in St Louis, MO on 26 Jul 2024.

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Honor Scroll

His family also received a scroll from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in commemoration of Ensign Smith. The citation reads: In grateful memory of Leonard Leroy Smith, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Pacific Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. YORKTOWN, 5 JUNE 1943 (Presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,

President of the United States

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The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) - 23 Jul 1942, Thu - Page 22

Navy Announces 12 Casualties From Los Angeles District

Long Beach Man One of Two Californians Who Died In Action Between July 1 and 10

No Word Received From Smith Since May

Ensign Leonard Leroy Smith, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Smith of 514 Sierra Court, Ontario, had been flying in the Pacific war theater since start of the war. The last direct word received from him by his parents was in May. He attended Chaffey High School and was graduated in 1937 from Chaffey Junior College. Ensign Smith entered the Naval Air Force in October, 1940. He received his preliminary training at Long Beach, after which he was sent to the Naval Academy at Pensacola, Fla., and was commissioned at Miami, Fla., in August 1941.

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The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, California) - 14 Jul 1943, Wed - Page 13

War Department Reports Death of Ontario Ensign

Ontario, July 13. – Ensign Leonard LeRoy Smith, well known young Ontarian, reported “missing in action” following the battle of Midway, June 4, 1942, was today officially declared deceased. Ensign Smith’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Smith, 514 Sierra court, who last fall received the Navy Cross and citation for bravery awarded their son, were today in receipt of a communication from James Forrestal, acting secretary of the navy. “After a full review of all available information, “reads the communication in part, “I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that your son, Ensign Leonard LeRoy Smith, is deceased, having been reported ‘missing in action’ while . . . based on the U.S.S. Yorktown, when the plane of which he was pilot was shot down in the battle of Midway.”

In conclusion, the acting secretary expresses the “hope that you will find comfort in the knowledge that your son gave his life for his country, upholding the highest traditions of the navy. The bravery of those who made possible the victory of Midway will always be remembered by a grateful people.” Lieut. Lloyd Mason Smith, another son of the Ontario couple, is at present stationed with the army air force at March field.

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Combat Action Ribbon (CR) note:

None of the Navy/Marine flight crews in the Battle of Midway were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST 1650.1H of Aug 22, 2006, Chapter 2, Section 3, p2-34). It reads in part, “The CR will not be awarded to personnel for Aerial Combat, . . . “

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Sources:

1). Smith, Leonard LeRoy, Ensign, USNR, Military Service Record, National Archives and Records Administration, St Louis, MO., 27 July 2024.

2). Newspaper articles

3) Moore, Stephen L., The Carrier Aviators Who Avenged Pearl Harbor At The Battle of Midway; Pacific Payback, Penguin Group, New York, New York, 2014.

4) Cressman, Robert J., et al, “A Glorious Page In Our History,” The Battle of Midway 4-6 June 1942. Pictorial Histories Publishing CO. Inc., Missoula, Montana, 1996.

5) Cressman, Robert J. & Wenger, Michael J., Steady Nerves and Stout Hearts: The Enterprise Cvg Air Group and Pearl Harbor, 7 December, 1941. Pictorial Histories Publishing CO. Inc., Missoula, Montana, 1990.

6) US Navy Muster and Change reports, Ancestry.com

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[Bio #177 compiled on 07 April 2020, edited 21 Nov 2021 and updated on 04 Aug 2024 by Gerry Lawton (G47)]

Find A Grave Memorial #56131954

Military Hall of Honor ID#102190

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