Don Smith, TWA Pilot and War Hero

TWA Pilots Don Smith and Jack Zimmerman 

Some years ago, I wrote about Fremont, Ohio native and senior TWA pilot Jack Zimmerman, who flew the first of TWA’s fleet of DC-3s into New York City’s LaGuardia Field. A year later, Zimmerman flew the last leg of the West-East inaugural record flight of TWA’s first Boeing 307. 

Joining the Army Air Corps in 1942, Zimmerman served as control officer of the North Atlantic Division of the Ferry Command.  In November 1942, after inspecting an air base, Zimmerman's seaplane foundered on take off. Fishermen from Quebec’s Longue-Pointe village rescued four of the nine men, but Pilot Jack Zimmerman was not among them. He remained missing in action until his plane was discovered and I was contacted by Parks Canada.

Learning about Jack Zimmerman's life was fascinating, but there were many questions left unanswered. Among them was the man named Don Smith, mentioned both as a friend and fellow pilot.  Zimmerman had encouraged him to become a pilot. With such a common name, I assumed the research would take more time than I had. 

But not long ago, John Havens, owner of Fremont, Ohio's Color Haven remarked about the portrait of Jack Zimmerman hanging in my office. John said, "Jack Zimmerman was my grandfather Don Smith's friend. He encouraged my grandfather to take up flying!" It was through John Havens that I received these photos and learned more about Don Smith.

TWA Pilot Don Smith

A fairly good athlete at Fremont High School, Smith entered The Ohio State University in 1925, majoring in psychology and minoring in physical education. When nearing graduation, Smith met an old Fremont friend, then a pilot for Transcontinental Air Transport, the forerunner of Trans World Airlines. He urged Smith to become a flying cadet with the U. S. Army, but Smith chose coaching instead.

However a few years later, he changed his mind. Smith applied and was accepted in flight school, where he became an expert pilot. His career as an Army pilot ended with his discharge in 1933. Smith returned to Fremont and took up barnstorming. Once again, Don's mentor, Jack Zimmerman, shaped his future. He suggested that Smith join him as a pilot with the growing TWA company.

Soon Smith was co-piloting the twin-engine DC-3 for TWA out of Newark, New Jersey. In 1939, he and Jack Zimmerman flew the first TWA flight into New York City's new LaGuardia Field. Smith then served as one of TWA's "check pilots." It was his job to examine the flying ability of other pilots.   

Smith and fellow pilots in WWII

When WWII broke out, Smith said, " Uncle Sam told me to come back in the Army. I was glad to go; everything I got out of flying I owed to the Army." He first served as a flight instructor and then was placed in charge of a troop carrier squadron assigned to New Guinea. There he became part of the Fifth Air Force. It was in this early phase of the war that Smith learned that his friend Jack Zimmerman had lost his life.  

Smith's 70 pilots spent a year in combat, taking part in more than 50 missions. For his courageous service, Smith was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals, and three campaign stars. Later Smith served as the operations officer of the 54th Troop Carrier wing stationed in the Philippines where he participated in the re-taking of Corregidor. At war's end, he had attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.

TWA Flight Leaving New York City

Following the war, Smith returned to TWA, where he was one of the company's senior pilots. His status made it possible for him to select the choice run from Chicago to New York City. He was able to return to his home on Long Island after every flight. At career's end Smith had flown more than two million miles. In retirement, he and his wife, Louise Wolfe, returned to their hometown. They had raised a daughter Marjorie who had three sons. One of whom is John Havens   

Pilot Don Smith Preparing for a Flight