by Mary Buchholz These articles come from newspaper microfilm from the Belle Fourche Public library, using a new microfilm reader and printer. The photographs are from the Tri-State Museum.
89 years ago Belle Fourche Bee September 18, 1936 PERSONALS –Donald Smith, Lon Brown, Lewis and Lowell Sisson left Tuesday morning by auto for Brookings, where the four boys will attend State college the coming year. Lewis and Lowell are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. George Sisson; Lewis is a senior and Lowell is a freshman. 83 years ago – Belle Fourche Post, May 20, 1942.
Donald Smith Takes Part in Raid on Japan Belle Fourche Man in One of 79 to Be Awarded DSC Major James Doolittle Leads Flight of B-25 Bombers in Daring Foray.
In the pilot’s seat of one of the North American B-25 bombers which roared over Tokyo April 18 to spread destruction upon Nipponese industrial centers and fear throughout Japan was Lt. Donald Smith, son of Dr. and Mrs. A. W. Smith, Belle Fourche, the war department revealed last night.
Names of all 79 men who participated in the daring action were not disclosed, but Smith was one of the 35 who were listed as taking part. Where these men are now located was not disclosed by the war department. To Don Smith, along with the others will go the distinguished service cross, press dispatches indicated. Smith is one of several Belle Fourche men now seeing active service in the air corps of the army or navy.
He was graduated from the advanced army air corps training school at Kelly Field, Texas, in March, 1941, has since been stationed at various points throughout the country. Word of his whereabouts has been unknown for many weeks. A graduate of Belle Fourche high school, Don, husky, sandy-haired, left behind him a brilliant athletic record here, and went on to more achievements at South Dakota State college, Brookings, where he was a mainstay center on the Jackrabbit grid squad for years. Smith was graduated from South Dakota State college in 1940 with a B. S. degree in agriculture, entered the army air corps immediately. Two very happy people last night when they heard word Dr. and Mrs. Smith. Pride and joy rang in every word as Don’s mother discussed the report.
Belle Fourche Bee May
– Your Sheep Pelts May Be Over Tokyo Care of the sheep’s fleece and planning shearing it is more important this year than ever because the pelts will be used to keep Uncle Sam’s aviators warm when they are bombing Tokyo from Alaska bases next winter, observes G. A. McDonald, State college extension animal husbandman.
Under an order issued Dec. 12 by Donald Nelson, head of the OPM, the government commandeered all the shearing sheep pelts in the United States for use in manufacturing flying suits for the air force. It is unlawful for anyone to tan or use shearling sheep for other than aviation purposes without consent of the OPM. Tests by the army show that sheepskins are superior to rabbit, beaver, bear, wolverine and silver fox to keep the boys in the service warm. Sheepskins are used exclusively for all air corps winter clothing. The skin part of the shearling is treated and tanned in such a manner that it is flameproof, wind-proof and acid-proof.
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