Donavon F. Smith
Donavon F. Smith | |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | "Don", "Dieppe" |
| Born | October 2, 1922 Dowagiac, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | September 10, 1974 (aged 51) Bexar County, Texas, U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Service years | 1942–1973 |
| Rank | Lieutenant general |
| Unit | 56th Fighter Group |
| Commands | 61st Fighter Squadron No. 1 Squadron RAF 63rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron 76th Air Base Squadron 518th Air Defense Group 21st Fighter Bomber Group 325th Fighter Wing Ninth Air Force Nineteenth Air Force Alaskan Air Command Sixth Allied Tactical Air Force |
| Conflicts | World War II Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (4) Air Medal (9) |
Donavon Francis Smith (October 2, 1922 – September 10, 1974) was a United States Air Force lieutenant general. During World War II, he was a flying ace, credited with 5.5 aerial victories. After World War II, Smith served as commander of the 21st Fighter Bomber Group in France, chief of the Air Force Advisory Group in South Vietnam and commander of the Sixth Allied Tactical Air Force in Turkey. He also served in key strategic and operational positions within the Air Defense Command and at Headquarters of the United States Air Force during the Cold War. He retired from the Air Force on November 1, 1973.