Haily Ruby Smoger

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Air Force

Haily Ruby Smoger served during World War II, and she served stateside. She joined the U.S. Army Air Forces on December 7, 1943.

She was assigned to the 425th Bombardment Squadron based in Mountain Home, Idaho, which was a squadron composed of B-24 Liberators.

Mrs. Smoger was honorably discharged on December 11, 1945, at the rank of Sergeant.

She was awarded the following: Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

Haily Smoger was born on September 21, 1920, in Liberty Township, northwest of Bemidji, in Wilton, Minnesota. She is the daughter of Robert and Lena Stay. She graduated from high school in Bemidji, Minnesota, in 1938.

Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall, Veteran’s History Form; veteran’s family member’s account (below):

“Although Haily’s discharge papers say Gowen Field, Idaho, she was actually stationed in Mountain Home, Idaho, about fifty miles away. “She has logged more hours in a B-24 than many pilots.”

Mrs. Smoger passed away on March 19, 2016, at home in Edin, Minnesota.