This Week In History: “Snuffy” Smith Wins the Congressional Medal of Honor on May 1, 1943 Published April 25, 2012 By Howard E. Halvorsen 7th Air Force Historian OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- 1 May 1943 Staff Sergeant Maynard Harrison "Snuffy" Smith, a gunner aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress in World War II, earned the Medal of Honor for his conduct during his very first combat mission. Smith was the first enlisted airman to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The photo is of Smith receiving his award from Secretary of War Henry Stimson. When Stimson landed at his base, Smith was called away from Kitchen Patrol (KP) duty for the presentation. On that first mission, Smith's aircraft was badly damaged by German fighters and anti-aircraft artillery. Fires on the aircraft were fed by the fuel supply and burned so hot that they melted holes in the airframe and starting exploding the ammunition stores. Despite the fact that he could have bailed out and several other crewmembers had already done so, Smith stayed onboard to aid wounded crewmembers. For 90 minutes, Smith fired at enemy fighters, threw ammunition out of the aircraft, fought the fires and gave first aid to the wounded. When his fire-fighting resources were exhausted, he wrapped himself in protective clothing and put out flames by hand. The aircraft was hit by over 3,500 bullets and pieces of shrapnel, and it broke in two as it touched down in England. Why was he nicknamed "Snuffy"? Word has it Smith quickly gained a reputation early on as a stubborn and obnoxious airman who did not get along well with the other airmen stationed there, hence his nickname "Snuffy Smith". That could explain why the Secretary of War had to wait while SSGT. Maynard Harrison Smith had to be pried away from assigned KP duties to receive the award.