The McDougald Funeral Home2211 North Main StreetAnderson, South Carolina 29621864-224-4343Obituary & FlagFlynn S. Smith, Sr.August 9, 1921 - August 7, 2008Anderson, SCLt. Col. USAF (Ret'd) Flynn Sherrill Smith, Sr., age 86, resident of 312 Burning Tree Road, Cobbs Glen Community, husband of Louise Bingham Smith, passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at his home.He was born in Mooresville, NC on August 9, 1921. He was the son of the late Richard Lee and Dolin Theodosia Smith. He grew up in Mooresville and graduated from Mooresville High School in 1939. Upon graduation he attended Appalachian State Teachers College for two years. On December 7, 1941, when Japan bombed Hawaii, he immediately volunteered for service in the Army where he was assigned to the Army Air Corp. After flight training Lt. Smith was sent to the European Theater flying numerous missions before the war ended. Before returning to the states he flew the first American plane, transporting members of Congress into Buchenwald. To speak of the horrific scenes he encountered was more than he could bear to recall. At the end of WW II he returned to Appalachian College to complete his education receiving a Masters Degree in Science and Education. He taught school and was the Basketball Coach at Union High School, N.C. and Jefferson High School, N.C. In 1951, he was recalled for service during the Korean War. His wife and children accompanied him to all assignments except those in the war zones. Upon recall he had further training flying the B-29 in Houston and San Antonio, TX. From there he was sent to Wheelus A.F. Base, Tripoli, Libya, North Africa. He and his loyal twelve-man crew served there for three years. Upon returning to the USA, Captain Smith was assigned to Virginia Polytech Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia as an instructor in the ROTC program for three years. From VPI, Major Smith was sent to Selfridge AFB, Michigan, and served with the Strategic Air Command for five years. While there he flew with the 307th Air Refueling Wing and was made the Chief of Standardization. His next assignment was spent in the Washington, D.C. area where he underwent training under the Department of State. Among other studying, diplomacy and foreign language were conducted for a year in preparation for his three-year assignment to the American Embassy, Bonn, Germany as Asst. Air Attach'. After three years at the embassy, Col. Smith volunteered for service in Vietnam. One year later he was assigned to McCoy A.F.B., Orlando, FL. While there he was sent to Seymour-Johnson A.F.B., NC. There he served two years as the KC-97 Flight Operation Officer, before retiring from the Air Force. Col. Smith flew 175 combat missions; he had approximately 1000 combat flying hours logged as a pilot. He was awarded the following medals: a recipient of the distinguished flying cross twice for PAGE TWO - FLYNN SMITH OBITUARYextraordinary achievement while in aerial flight; the air medal with 4 oak leaf clusters for heroic actions while in aerial flight; the Bronze star, the distinguished service medal; the commendation medal, the Victory medal-WWII, the North American Defense Medal ' WWII, European Theater Ribbon with 4 battle stars ' WWII, the Vietnam Theater Ribbon, and the Vietnam combat ribbon. In his immediate family, he is survived by his sister Helen Smith Connell of Greenville, TN. He was predeceased not only by his mother and father but also by his brothers Fred, Frank, Hunter and Robert and sisters Alice Beard, Winona Smith, Kathleen Kennedy, Nell Kerr, and Rachel McLaughlin. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Louise Fletcher Bingham Smith, sons Flynn Smith, Jr. and wife Marian of Summerland Key, FL, Shawn S. Smith and wife Lisa of Orlando, FL, daughters Ann Louise Weaver and Lynn Page Russ of Belton, SC; grandchildren Harold, Jr., Saundra, Rebecca, Flynn III, Virginia, Matt, Emily, Katy, and Wyatt. Great Grandchildren Harold III, Justin, Brianna, Chase, Pagie, and Jacob.A Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home at 6:00 pm on Sunday, August 10, 2008 conducted by the Reverend Dr. James M. Rice. The family will hold a private service at the Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC.The family requests that memorials be made to Calvary Home for Children, 110 Calvary Home Circle, Anderson, SC 29621.Today is Flynn's 'Last Flight'. 'The verse on the SAC Chapel Memorial Window says it best.' 'I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us' Then said I, Here I am, send me. Isaiah 6:8 May this pilot rest in peace, for he was our hero, 'the wind beneath our wings'.The McDougald Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements.