Biographical Sketches

COL. LOWELL HERBERTH SMITH

Born: October 8, 1892    In: Santa Barbara, CA
Died: November 4, 1945    In: Tucson, AZ

Col Lowell H Smith. Aviation pioneer, Army officer and pilot. He first became an aviator for the Mexican Army (1915), but in 1917 joined the Army Air Service. He pioneered air-to-air refueling of in the early 1920s and commanded the Army’s Around the World Flight (6 Apr-28 Sept 1924). For these services he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal respectively. He held 16 records for military aircraft in speed, endurance, and distance.

Denotes an individual known to have soloed an aircraft prior to December 16, 1917, whether they were members of the "Early Birds of Aviation" Organization or not.