On Jan 5, 1945 Bill Smith took a P-51 up to check out the new K-14 gunsight. The engine in the mustang he was flying caught fire and Bill was forced to make a crash landing. While trying to get it down, the plane started to shudder before a stall so Bill used a "Rudder Stall Exercise" learned in training. The plane bounced three times; Bill only remembers the first bounce. S/Sgt Fulton and Sgt Sanders, of the 307th, dragged Smith from the burning plane, earning soldiers medals. Bill banged his head against the gunsight which caused a concussion and head abrasions. The CO2 bottle he was sitting on bruised his tail bone, which caused him discomfort for the remainder of his tour. It would be a month before he was cleared to fly again.

San Severo, Italy, January 5, 1945