Quentin P. Smith

Quentin P. Smith (1919–2013) was an American airman who served as a B-25 bombardier with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

Early life Smith was born in Weldon, Texas. His father moved to East Chicago, Indiana to look for a job. Smith, along with the rest of his family, joined him there a few years later. He attended Washington High School, where his focus was on music rather than athletics. He graduated from Indiana State Teachers College with a degree in social studies education

Tuskegee Smith did not yearn to fly like the rest of his colleagues. In fact, he once said, "I didn't give a tinker's damn if I ever left the ground."

Smith was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen 477th Composite Group.

Educational career Smith earned his master's degree in English. He took on various roles in schools. He taught English at Roosevelt High School, served as a guidance counselor, and then went on to become a high school principal at West Side High School in Indiana. Later in his life he was made the director of secondary education for Gary, Indiana. He sat on several aviation and education boards, and was a member of the Chicago Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, an organization of black pilots. Smith also created the Gary Emerson High School for Visual and Performing Arts.