Oral history interview with Dwight M. Smith

Collection

Identifier: SR 9132

Staff Only

Oral history interview with Dwight M. Smith

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Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Dwight M. Smith was conducted by Charles Digregorio on March 12, 1976, at Smith’s home in Portland, Oregon, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library’s oral history program.

In this interview, Smith speaks extensively about the antique car he owned, a 1912 Hudson Model 33, also known as the “Mile-a-Minute Speedster.” He then discusses learning to fly from pilot Tex Rankin in 1920, and talks about working as a freelance pilot during the 1920s and 1930s. He also talks about his unsuccessful attempt to get a position training Army Air Corps cadets during World War II. He closes the interview by talking about the history of the Curtis OX-5 airplane engine.

Dates

Creation: 1976 March 12

Creator

Smith, Dwight M. (Dwight Myron), 1899-1982 (Interviewee, Person)
Digregorio, Charles (Interviewer, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Joint copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society and the estate of Dwight M. Smith. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted, https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-NC/1.0/

Biographical note

Dwight Myron Smith was born in Grant, Iowa, in 1899. Smith worked for the Standard Oil Company from 1916 to 1964, and at the time of his retirement, he was motor transport superintendent. Smith also worked as a freelance pilot during the 1920s and 1930s. He married Mildred Opa in 1926, and they had one child. Smith died in 1982.

Sources: Vital records in Ancestry.com; information provided by Smith in his interview; “Retired Oilman D.M. Smith Dies,” Oregon Journal, June 10, 1982, Page 36.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 audiocassette (27 min., 44 sec.))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history interview with Dwight M. Smith, conducted by Charles Digregorio on March 12, 1976. Smith discusses the antique car he owned, a 1912 Hudson Model 33; and his experiences as a freelance pilot during the 1920s and 1930s.