GLASGOW, Ky. — A World War II Veteran in Glasgow experienced a near-death situation about 80 years ago.

What You Need To Know

  • Edwin Smith had a near-death experience in 1945 after the war ended in Europe

  • It involved two B-29 planes crashing into each other

  • Smith lives in Hometown Manor Assisted Living Community

  • Despite the trying experience, Smith said it’s made him a better man

U.S. Air Force veteran Edwin Smith, who is 100 years old now, was stationed in New Mexico after the war ended in Europe.

Smith and 18 members of the Air Force were on board a B-29 super fortress and were flying through Texas when suddenly, the plane ran into another B-29.

“I heard the commander say, ‘Oh my god, we’ve been hit,’” Smith said. 

“I didn’t know what happened at that time and nobody else knew it. I think they had 18 people on board and we had 18 people on board. It killed about 36 people in one wack,” Smith recalled.

In a moment of crisis, Smith closed his eyes, and begged for help.

“I wasn’t a particular religious person at this time, but I did say, ‘God, I’m in trouble. I need you to do something for me,’” he explained.

Another member of the flight had kicked open a window, and Smith became airborne. However, his parachute didn’t deploy correctly, which caused a very rough landing.

“The next thing I can remember is hitting the ground three different times,” Smith said.

“And when I hit the ground, the parachute started back up and collected some air. That happened three different times. I heard it. Boom, boom, boom,” he shared. 

Because of the rough landing, Smith had some bad injuries.

“I was in the hospital for three months after that,” Smith said. “My shoulder was dislocated, my leg was broken above my knee, my arm was dislocated, my ankle was dislocated.”

Because of his injuries, Smith had to find a new way of living. 

“I went back, went to school, went to college, and here I am. In front of you,” Smith said.

Despite the horror of the situation, Smith said this situation made him a better man. 

“If you need help from God, you’ll get help,” Smith said. “Before that, I smoked, drank and gambled and did everything else. But after that happened, I don’t do that stuff anymore. I think God just cut it off and said ‘This is it for you.’”

Smith continues to live a happy and healthy life in his living community.

Related Stories