When the United States entered World War II, Capt. Malcolm "Mac" A. Smith was a cadet at West Point. He trained in the P-40 Tomahawk, eventually flying a P-47 Thunderbolt, nicknamed "Mary Ann" after his wife.

His unit, the 368th Fighter Group, was one of the most heavily engaged air groups in isolating and eliminating enemy defenses in Normandy just prior to D-Day. Under heavy fire from the ground, as well as air attacks by enemy aircraft, Smith was shot down in his P-47 on May 21, 1944 near Vibrayue, France, at 26 years old. At the time of his death, his family included his wife Mary Ann, his daughter Susan Ann, his parents, and a sister, Marianne.

Early in 1948, Smith's family was deeply touched by the return of his West Point ring by a veteran Army GI. In September 1945, an elderly French woman in Le Mans had given the ring to a passing GI. She had witnessed his aircraft being shot down, and wanted to send his ring home to his family.

Capt. Malcom A. Smith is buried in Normandy American Cemetery, plot C, row 10, grave 46. He was awarded the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.

When the United States entered World War II, Capt. Malcolm "Mac" A. Smith was a cadet at West Point. He trained in the P-40 Tomahawk, eventually flying a P-47 Thunderbolt, nicknamed "Mary Ann" after his wife.

His unit, the 368th Fighter Group, was one of the most heavily engaged air groups in isolating and eliminating enemy defenses in Normandy just prior to D-Day. Under heavy fire from the ground, as well as air attacks by enemy aircraft, Smith was shot down in his P-47 on May 21, 1944 near Vibrayue, France, at 26 years old. At the time of his death, his family included his wife Mary Ann, his daughter Susan Ann, his parents, and a sister, Marianne.

Early in 1948, Smith's family was deeply touched by the return of his West Point ring by a veteran Army GI. In September 1945, an elderly French woman in Le Mans had given the ring to a passing GI. She had witnessed his aircraft being shot down, and wanted to send his ring home to his family.

Capt. Malcom A. Smith is buried in Normandy American Cemetery, plot C, row 10, grave 46. He was awarded the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.