Robert E. Smith (c. 1918 – c. 2004), was an American pilot who flew in World War II the Korean War and the Vietnam War, serving in the Army Air Corps, the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force during his career.
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In 1941, on the cusp of the United States entering into war with Imperial Japan, Smith dropped out of The Citadel to become "A Yank in the RAF" and begin flying with the famed Eagle squadron in England.
In 1942, a telegram was sent home to his family in Norfolk, Virginia informing them that Smith was shot down over France and was MIA, presumed to be KIA. In fact, Smith ran out of fuel and was forced to ditch his plane following a bomber escort mission gone awry. The squadron had been blown several hundred miles off course and were unable to return to their bases in England. Smith survived for 4 months in enemy territory (In spite of being unable to speak German or French). Using the railways and various disguises, Smith worked his way toward the friendly territory. In the dead of winter, he crossed the Pyrenees, only to be captured and tortured in a Spanish prison before being released. His adventures are chronicled in Aircraft Down! Evading Capture in WWII Europe by Philip D. Caine (1997 Brassey's; Dulles, VA) ISBN 9781574880861.
Smith flew 117 missions during the Korean campaign. His Air Force moniker was "Big Dog".
Smith's awards include: