Private Smith was a member of the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was seriously Wounded in Action by the enemy in North Korea on 20 November 1950 and returned to duty on 12 February 1951. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on 9 March 1951.

Smith was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.