NOTABLE ARKANSANS

NOTABLE ARKANSANS

NOTABLE ARKANSANS

STEVE STEPHENS AND CLYDE SNIDER

Special to the Democrat-Gazette

He was born in Clarksville and grew up in Fort Smith. Although he trained to be a concert pianist, he wanted to fly. After failing to qualify for the U.S. Army Air Corps he went to Canada to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. Soon he found himself in England as a fighter pilot with the famous Eagle Squadron.

When the United States entered World War II he transferred to the U.S. Army Air Force where he became a top pilot. He was a popular member of his squadron, playing the piano before each mission. During the numerous dogfights with the German Luftwaffe he was credited with shooting down 12 enemy planes. He was shot down twice over enemy territory, only to escape both times.

He became the commander of the 335th Fighter Squadron, earning the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross with four clusters, the Distinguished Unit Citation, the Air Force Medal with 16 clusters, and the Croix de Guerre from the French government. Shortly after the war he and a student pilot were killed during a training flight in San Antonio.

Notable Arkansans is written by Steve Stephens and produced by Clyde Snider.

Who was this World War II flying ace from Fort Smith?

See NOTABLE ARKANSANS--ANSWER

Style on 05/12/2019

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