Smith, Albert C., St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
File prepared by D.N. Pardue and submitted by Inez Bridges Tate.
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Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives
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From "St. Helena Vets Remember World War II: Personal Interviews
With World War II Vets", published by St. Helena Historical
Association, 1995.  Compiled and edited by Inez Bridges Tate and
reprinted with permission.

     Albert C. Smith was born and reared in Greensburg.  When he
was five years old his mother died and he along with his siblings
went to live with their maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Allen.  He graduated from Greensburg High School in 1941.  He
then enrolled in Civilian Conservation Corps. (CCC's), stationed
at Kentwood.  His pay was $30.00 a month, $5.00 to him and $25.00
to his grandmother, his guardian.  She saved this money for him
he said.

     He was drafted on March 26, 1943 into the Army Air Force
after having been determined fit to serve in the military, first
by Dr. Tynes in Greensburg and later by a panel of doctors in
New Orleans.  He traveled from Greensburg to Baton Rouge on the
White Eagle bus.  He recalls being sworn in at New Orleans.  He
then reported to an induction center at Camp Beauregard, Alexandria,
La. where he was administered IQ and aptitude test.  Basic train-
ing was at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Ms.  From Keesler he
was sent to Salt Lake City, Utah for six weeks training in
ammunition ordinance.  It was here he saw T.J. Toups from
Greensburg, the only person that he saw while he was in service
that he knew.

     Albert's next training was in Salina, Kansas where the B-29
bomber was being assembled to bomb Japan.  Two B-29's were brought
in for this 20th Command to be trained on.  Albert stated that
the B-29 was the first airplane designed to fly at high altitudes
as it was equipped with a pressurized cabin.  This plane could
carry a ton of bombs.  It lacked gliding power, however, as if
hit or otherwise disabled, it would crash immediately.  Aboard
the plane were three gunners and a tail gunner (CFC) and any gun
could be controlled by any of the gunners from the "bubble" where
they sat.

     Albert shipped out for India on 27 Feb. 1944, reaching his
destination on 12 April 1944.  Part of the crew left from the
west coast and the others from the east coast.  They were to
unite in Calcutta, India.  From India the bombers flew "over the
hump" to China and then to bomb Japan.  It would take 25 hours
to fly a round trip.  Albert was in the ground crew.  His squad-
ron was assigned to mine the waters around Singapore.

     From India, the command was moved to the Mariana Islands
(Tinian Island) and it was from these islands the bombers flew
over Japan to drop bombs.  For six months, they worked long hours,
working until they actually would fall asleep on their feet.  They
would then be given a break of eight hours to bathe and sleep.
They would be awakened for more of the same.  Albert said they
heard of the "new bomb" and he saw the Enola Gay on Tinian Island.
He recalled seeing crates setting around the plane and that these
were guarded by men with machine guns.  This was, of course,
"top secret" and it was not until the atom bomb was dropped on
Hiroshima that they knew the significance of the Enola Gay and
the heavily guarded "crates".

     On a lighter note, Albert said several entertainers came to 
entertain the troops - American and British.  He was attending a 
performance in India when the star came and sat in Albert's lap
and kissed him.  The guys really teased him about this.

     Albert flew home arriving 3 Nov. 1945 and received his
discharge at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La.

     He returned to Greensburg where he drove his grandfather's
school bus until the end of the school year.  He then went to
Baton Rouge where he took a plumbing course.  Albert worked for
Bernard Plumbing until he secured a job with Plantation Pipeline.
He married Miss Toffie Ainsworth on September 6, 1946.  His job
with Plantation took them to Helena, Alabama for a year and a
half.  He resigned as they wanted to return to St. Helena Parish
to live.  Albert operated a dairy for many years and now 'runs'
beef cattle on his place.  Toffie has worked for the Welfare
Department and later for the Local School Board.  They have two
daughters and four grandchildren.  They are active members of
Greensburg Methodist Church and Albert enjoys membership in the
local American Legion Post.

     Albert's citations listed on his discharge are: Asiatic-
Pacific Theater Ribbon, Distinguished Unit Badge, Good Conduct
Medal and Victory Medal.

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