Langley Frank Willard Smith

Langley Frank Willard Smith DSC (15 August 1897 – 12 June 1917) was a Canadian Flying Ace in World War I credited with 8 victories.

Whilst attending Flying School in St. Augustine, Florida, Smith accidentally stepped into a revolving propeller and received near-fatal head injuries.

However he completed his training at the Curtiss Flying School in Newport News, Virginia, qualifying as a pilot on 29 June 1916.

[1] Posted to 4 Naval Squadron on 25 April 1917, he scored eight victories flying the Sopwith Pup.

A few days later, while attempting to intercept a flight of 16 Gotha bombers, Smith was killed when his Camel lost a wing and broke up in mid-air.

Gravestone of L. F. W. Smith, Houtave Churchyard, Belgium