WWII-KIA-SMITH, Charles Kent - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Charles Kent Smith, only son of Gale and Mable Inlow Smith was born in Veedersburg on July 5, 1919. He departed this life as a result of a fatal airplane crash near San Antonio, Texas on July 20, 1943, aged 25 years and 15 days. On July 10, just 10 days before his death he was married to Miss Margaret Funk of Great Bend, Kansas.

Kent attended public school at Veedersburg, Brook, Rensselaer, Winter Park, Fla and Fowler and graduated from Fowler HS in 1937. He then entered Indiana University remaining there for a year and a half. Following a brief employment in Fowler, he entered the Army on March 31, 1941, with one of the first groups to go to the service from Benton County.

He was assigned to the signal company of the 38th Division at Camp Shelby, Miss and was stationed there until his transfer to the Army AF in September 1942. Then he began the Army's intensive pilot's training course. During the next months he was successively at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Ala; Helena Air Base at Helena, Ark; Courtland, Ala and finally at George Army Air Field at Lawrenceville, Ill. Here he received his wings as a pilot and his commission as a Second Lt. June 30, 1943.  He was rated as a natural and top flight pilot by his instructors and superior officers.

Kent had expected a furlough immediately after graduation but, instead, was ordered to report at once to Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas for four weeks of further training. After that, he was to return to George Field as a pilot instructor.  Kent was on his final routine training flight at Randolph Field when the fatal accident occurred. His plane collided in mid air with another plane during formation flying. Both he and his co-pilot were instantly killed, neither having an opportunity to bail out of the crushed plane.  

It can truly be said that Kent was a most devoted son and loving brother and husband, as well as a gentleman. He was noted for his kinness and consideration for his mother. He never wanted any unusual attention from others. From earliest childhood he tended strictly to his own business and kept his own counsel, but he was ever ready to help others. He was always cheerful and always an admirer of the good qualities to those around him.  These charactersistics won him the friendship of everyone.  It was not his special desire to enter the Army but he went, cheerfully and willingly and no one ever heard a word of complaint about it form him.  He recognized the importance of the Air FOrce and in it was able to realize his ambition to receive his wings as a pilot.

He is survived by his parents: his wife, Margaret and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Funk; three sisters, Mrs. Jean Hartman at home; Miss Marjorie at home; and Marie of Chicago; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Smith of Sterling and one niece, Gayle Hartman. The body is being shipped to Fowler, where funeral arrangements are as yet incomplete.   --- transcribed by kbz

Fowler, July 21 - 1943 -- Second Lt. Charles Kent Smith, 24, AAF, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gale Smith, prominent family here, was killed in an airplane crash Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at Union City, Texas.  His father is president of the Benton Review Publishing Company, originator of a line of school books and was formerly school superintendent at Rensselaer.  Lt. Smith, born at Veedersburg was a 1939 graduate of Fowler HS and attended Indiana University.  He went in service with a group of selectees March 31, 1941. In September, 1942, he was transferred to the Army Air Force. He received his wings and commission June 30 ,1943 at George Air Field, Lawrenceville, Ill. He was then sent to Randolph Field, Tex.  He was married July 10, 1943 to Miss Margaret Funk of Great Bend, Kas who has been with him at Randolph. Surviving with the wife and parents are three sisters: Mrs J.R. Hartman, Purdue Memorial Union building; Miss Marie Smith, Chicago and Margaret K at home. Body will be brought to Fowler; Galloway Funeral Home in charge. - kbz