Seeking Info on Gayle L. Smith 387th BG

[SteveR]

Here's what got me started:

From the formation diagram I see that the pilot of the #3 ship, lead formation, box II, for the 387th BG's mission to Mayen on the morning of 23 December was named Smith.

Theoretically box II was made up of crews from the 559th BS, though the leader of box II was Capt. Robert Gunn of the 558th BS. I can't find a pilot from the 559th named Smith, so I suspect it might be Gayle L. Smith, the Group Operations Officer.

The only info I can find on Gayle L Smith comes from the website b26.com. A 2Lt. when he got his wings (early 1942 I think), he was assistant Group Operations Officer in Feb. 1943, at which time he was promoted to 1Lt. At some point he was made Group Operations Officer and he was eventually promoted to Lt. Col., but I can't find when either of these occurred. Can't find anything on him on the 387th BG website either. I know he survived the war.

So, can anyone confirm that the Smith flying ship #3 in the lead flight, box II, 387th BG for the Mayen mission on 23 December 1944 was Gayle L. Smith? If it wasn't him, who was the Smith flying that B-26? And does anyone know when Gayle L. Smith was elevated to Group Operations Officer for the 387th BG and his dates of promotion to Capt., Maj., and Lt. Col.?

Please accept my apologies for being long-winded and my gratitude for anyone who can help with any of this!