John Smith (flying ace)

John Lucian Smith
Smith in February 1943
Born	(1914-12-26)December 26, 1914 Lexington, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	June 9, 1972(1972-06-09) (aged 57) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1936–1960
Rank	Colonel
Commands	VMF-223 Marine Aircraft Group 33
Battles/wars	World War II Korean War
Awards	Medal of Honor Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal Air Medal (4) Distinguished Service Order (United Kingdom)

John Lucian Smith (December 26, 1914 – June 9, 1972) was an American Medal of Honor recipient and Marine Corps flying ace who, as commanding officer of VMF-223, shot down 19 Japanese planes in World War II and led his squadron to destroy a total of 83 enemy aircraft during the Solomon Islands campaign.