Major Harold Smelser was the Squadron Commander of the 324th Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force.

On 23 November 1942, he was a Command Pilot and Group Leader aboard the B-17, "Pandora's box" (#41-24503) that was lost at sea when it was forced to ditch into the Bay of Biscay following a mission over the submarine pens at St. Nazaire.

"Ten (10) B-17's of the 324 Bomb Sq, 91st Bomb Gp were hit by twelve (12) FW 190's just over the coast. Four (4) more FW 190's joined attack just before the IP. Five (5) enemy aircraft were destroyed and one (1) damaged.

This A/C (503) turned towards the sea and was followed by three other B-17s. Lt. Gorman, pilot of one of the three planes following #503, followed #503 down to 2000 feet. Major Smelser, Command pilot of this flight of bombers, aboard the #503, waved the other planes on. A life raft could be seen hanging from the tail of #503. Lt. Gorman stated that #503 landed in the sea 30 miles northwest of St. Nazaire, France or made a forced landing on the Brest Peninsula. This A/C, with one or more engines burning, never reached the target."

KIA aboard Aircraft:

Wahl, George C Capt. Pilot

Smelser, Harold C Major Command Pilot

Jones, Duane L Capt. Pilot

Baxter, Phillip K 2nd Lt. Bombadier

Hemingway, John S 1st Lt. Navigator

Emerson, Louis E T/Sgt Radioman

Masters, Alvey G T/Sgt Engineer

Watson, Doyt L S/Sgt Waist Gunner

Boomer, John L Sgt Waist Gunner

Hernandez, Fidel Sgt Ball Turret Gunner

Medved, Joseph Sgt Tail Gunner

Smelser, Harold Caldwell, Maj