Private First Class Smith was a member of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was seriously wounded by the enemy in North Korea on 18 October 1952 and returned to duty on 14 November 1952. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on 12 February 1953.

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.