BRIGADIER GENERAL LOTHA AUGUST SMITH Born on January 8, 1894, in Kentucky, Brigadier General Lotha A. Smith entered the aviation section of the Signal Corps, U.S. Army on 5 June 1917, and was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant, Reserve Military Aviator, on 25 October 1917. He served in France as a pilot during World War I and returned to the United States in the spring 1919. On 1 July 1920 he was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant, Air Service, U.S. Army (regular). From 1919 until 1933, General Smith served in many parts of the United States and Hawaii, in command of tactical air force organizations. During this period he participated in many noteworthy flights including the “around the rim” flight of a Martin bomber in 1919 and many outstanding flights of the 3d Attack Group. He activated the 26th Attack Squadron at Kelly Field in the early 1920’s and later had this squadron under his command on the island of Nekufetau in the Ellis group of islands in the Central Pacific area.In 1933 he was assigned as a student to the Air Corps Tactical School at Montgomery, Alabama and after completing the one year course was retained as an instructor for four additional years. In 1938, General Smith was assigned to the 17th Attack Group at March Field, California, where he eventually became Executive Officer of the group. In 1940, General Smith organized the 28th Composite Group, destined for station in Alaska and commanded this group until shortly before their departure for Alaska. After serving with the Fourth Air District, General Smith was assigned as the first commanding officer of Hammer Field, Fresno, California, where he served until 5 December 1942. On 5 December 1942, he took command of Hamilton Field, San Rafael, California where he remained until 30 March 1943.On 1 April 1943, General Smith was ordered to the Central Pacific and too command of Canton Island and its task force operating against Japanese bases within their range. After serving in command of forces in the outlying islands of the Pacific until January 1944, General Smith was returned to Hawaii where he became War Plans Officer for Army Air Forces of the Central Pacific. He served in this capacity in Hawaii and Guam until he was relieved from the Pacific Ocean areas on 8 June 1945. General Smith served in the Gilbert-Marshalls campaign and in the Marianas operations against Iwo Jima. He was decorated with the Legion of Merit by Lt Gen Robert C. Richardson, Jr. for his achievements as commanding officer of Canton Island. He was decorated with the Bronze Star by Lt Gen Barney M. Giles, Army Air Forces, for his meritorious services as War Plans Officer for Army Air Forces of the Central Pacific.In November 1945, General Smith returned to Fresno, California where he assumed command of Hammer Field, the flying field he first commanded early in the war. In August 1946, he was appointed commander of Offutt Field, Nebraska and held that post until September 1948 when he was named base commander of Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, the new home of the Tenth Air Force. In November 1949, he was appointed Inspector General of the Tenth Air Force.