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Smart, John Elliott "Jack"

Date of birth:
March 1st, 1916 (Northumberland, United Kingdom)
Date of death:
February 3rd, 2008
Nationality:
British

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant
Awarded on:
December 21st, 1943
Awarded for:
Operation Source
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant
Awarded on:
November 13th, 1945
"Lieutenant Smart was in command of His Majesty's Midget Submarine XE-1 and accompanied XE-3 m the successful attack on a heavy Japanese cruiser in Johore Strait, Singapore. Like XE-3, Lieutenant Smart also left the believed safe channel during his long approach up the Singapore Straits and entered mined waters to avoid suspected hydrophone posts. XE-1's target was a heavy cruiser of the Nachi class berthed about two miles beyond the Atago cruiser which XE-3 was to attack. Unfortunately XE-i was delayed in her attack owing to several encounters with surface craft and instead of passing the boom ahead of XE-3 as planned, actually passed it go minutes after XE-3. This robbed Lieutenant Smart of the necessary margin of time to reach his target and withdraw before dark and he accordingly decided to attack the Atago class cruiser. Unable to get his craft underneath the target he dropped his main charge close alongside it and withdrew. The passage involved the same great hazards as those faced by XE-3 and Lieutenant Smart displayed great courage throughout this hazardous operation."
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Lieutenant
Awarded on:
October 15th, 1946
Legion of Merit - Officer (LoM - O)

Sources