SMITH, Kenneth Dudley
| Service Numbers: | O33843, A33843 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 February 1950 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 77 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Thebarton, South Australia, 28 August 1927 |
| Home Town: | Mile End, City of West Torrens, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Adelaide High School, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Bank Clerk |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Korea, 8 July 1952, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Pilot Officer Smith's body was never recovered and is therefore regarded as missing, presumed killed in action., United Nations Memorial Cemetery, Busan, Korea |
| Memorials: | Adelaide High School The Fallen, Adelaide Post Second World War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Cootamundra Korean War Memorial, Griffith Korean War Missing In Action Honour Roll, Gympie Memorial Lane Murals, Ipswich Korean War Memorial, Korea United Nations Memorial Cemetery Wall of Remembrance, Lithgow War Memorial, Norfolk Island Korean War Memorial, South Australian Korean War Memorial , Wagga Wagga Korean Memorial |
Korean War Service
| 27 Feb 1950: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Airman Pilot, O33843 | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Feb 1952: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, A33843, No. 77 Squadron (RAAF), RAAF Operations - Korea | |
| 21 Feb 1952: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, No. 77 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 8 Jul 1952: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, No. 77 Squadron (RAAF), Missing presumed KIlled in Action on this day |
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Provided to VWMA for publication by “Historical Unrecovered War Casualties – Air Force”.
Pilot Officer Kenneth Dudley SMITH, (AKA Smithy) O33843/450975, was born in Thebarton SA on 28 August 1927, residing at Mile End Adelaide. He attended Adelaide High School and achieved Intermediate Certificate in Nov 1942. Prior to enlisting, he was employed as a Bank Official with Commonwealth Bank Adelaide. He enlisted into the RAAF on 27 Feb 1950 as trainee pilot and award his Wings on 02 Aug 1951. After graduation he was posted initially to No 3 Squadron, followed by a posting to No 77 Squadron Korea on 21 Feb 1952 to fly Meteors. He was awarded the US Air Medal for distinguished combat flying in Meteor aircraft. Pilot Officer Smith was listed MIA believed Killed on 8 July 1952 age 24.
Mission Summary
Pilot Officer Kenneth Dudley SMITH, Service No O33843, DoB: 28 August 1927, MIA 8 July 1952, LKP TOKYO GRID CU 4007 latitude and longitude 38 54 37N 127 10 27E.
On 8 July 1952, PLTOFF Smith as the Section Lead of a four meteor formation, was tasked with armed reconnaissance of Main supply route along the upper portion of the Imjin River valley. At 1950 two vehicles were sighted on the road. PLTOFF Smith commenced an attack run but before it is believed he became aware of the high ground in his recovery path. PLTOFF Smith’s aircraft was observed pulling out with ectoplasm streaming from both wingtips, indicating the aircraft was being subjected to substantial G forces. His aircraft impacted the ridge approximately 400 yards beyond the target with a small initial explosion followed by a large explosion, and the PLTOFF Smith was not observed to eject. It is unlikely that PLTOFF Smith survived the crash and LKP is assessed as TOKYO GRID YC5484 latitude and longitude 38 40 52N 125 55 24E.
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