Corporal Smith was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a member of the 514th Transportation Truck Company, U.S. Army. He died of other causes on 22 December 1950 at the 12th Medical Dispensary at Inchon, South Korea.

ith was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.