Clure Elton Smith

Col. Clure E. Smith, USAF Ret., Command Fighter Pilot, passed away at age 84 on May 29, 2002. He was a loving husband and father who devoted his life to his family and the service of his country. Born in Pampa, Texas, Clure grew up during the great depression, the soup lines, the dust storms, the hard times. After attending Texas Tech University, Clure entered the Air Force flying cadet program prior to WWII and received his wings at Luke AFB in Phoenix, AZ. He served overseas as a fighter pilot in Panama, England, France, Belgium, Germany, Japan and Korea. During WWII he flew 150 missions over Europe with the 366th Fighter Group destroying 13 enemy aircraft, 3 ½ in "air to air" combat. During the Korean conflict, he flew in 100 missions with the 51st Fighter Group destroying one Russian built MIG-15 fighter. Prior to jet fighters, Col. Smith flew many different aircraft including: P-36, P-39, P-40, P-43, P-47, P-38 and P-51. A pioneer in jet fighter aviation, Col. Smith served as a test pilot for Republic Aviation's first jet fighter, the F-84, and went on to fly F-80, F-104 and F-106 aircraft. A highly decorated pilot, Col. Smith earned many prestigious honors including: the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Star and 36 air medals. He was also the recipient of the Belgian Order of the Crown, the Belgian Croix de Guerre w/Palm, and the French Croix de Guerre w/Palm. His distinguished career included: commander of the 14th Fighter Group of Dow AFB 1946, formation of the 78th Fighter Group at Hamilton Field 1948, Chief of the Fighter branch in the Directorate of Requirements at the Pentagon, Commander of Jet training of Air Force cadets in Bryan, TX 1954-1957, Chief of the Military Advisory Group and the United States Mission to Uruguay, chief of the F-111 Systems Support Management and chief of F-104/T-33/C-131 Weapon Systems Management in Sacramento, CA, and finished his career at Kelly AFB in 1969. He is survived by Phyllis Marjorie Jack Smith, his wife of 56 years; daughters, Sandi Kenney and husband Bill of Sutter, CA, Stephanie Howell and husband Brian of San Antonio, and Shari Shannon and husband Roy of New Braunfels; son, Scott Smith of San Antonio; sister, Marguerite Bull of Gretna, LA; grandchildren, Ashley Smith, Steve, Joe and Dominic Dana; and great grandchildren, Lauren and Sam. Clure, was a member of the greatest generation, a fierce defender of his country, a devoted husband and father; now thy race is run. "With throttle to the fire wall, reach out and touch the face of God."