Warbird Information Exchange

Decorated WWII Pilot Dies

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

Truman Smith, decorated World War II pilot, TV and movie director, author and haberdasher, died in his sleep Wednesday morning at his home, 4568 East Prospect. A native of Ponca City, Smith was interested in aviation from an early age after graduating from Ponca City High School in 1942, he received his pilot's wings in 1943. He retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel serving in the reserves from 1945 to 1968.

During World War II he flew 35 missions in a B-17 Bomber. Later he authored a book on his adventures with the 8th Air Force titled, "The Wrong Stuff."

Smith earned 13 decorations during the war including the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1945 he was a bush pilot for Rubber Development Corporations, Amazonas.

After the War, Smith pursued another passion as a theatrical major at Pasadena Playhouse and became a TV Director at KTTV Television, Hollywood. Next he was a Motion Picture Officer for the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1958, where he became commander of the Air Force Radio-TV Network for Europe, North Africa and the Near East

When he returned to Oklahoma Smith was a charter member of the Oklahoma Film Advisory Commission appointed by Lt. Gov. George Nigh.

Twice Smith earned the Silver Medal award from the Cannes, France film festival for two short films one on the Rattle Snake Hunt at Okeene and for 'Der Ball.' He worked closely with Ned Hockman, Journalism Professor at the University of Oklahoma for a conference titled "Behind the Screens of Hollywood." Smith, Bob Westmoreland and the late artist Walt Harris combined efforts to make "Bride of the Morning Star," a memorial television program commissioned in 1977 by the Bicentennial Commission of Ponca City.

For several years Smith was a stringer for television stations in Wichita, Tulsa and Oklahoma City. In the 1970s, Smith directed a feature length movie "Red, White and Black," which was filmed partly in the Ponca City Area. A number of film and television luminaires associated with Smith, visited in Ponca City with the family.

Smith, and his wife Margot of Germany, were married in 1956 in Wiesbaden, Germany, and moved to Ponca City in 1958, where he was part owner of Smitty's Clothing Store with his father Herman and brother John. In later years, Smith could be found joining the conversation wherever pilots or media experts gathered.

Arrangements are pending at Trout Funeral Home and Crematory.

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