Lieutenant Colonel Smith was a veteran of World War II. In Korea he served with the Artillery Section, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, X Corps. On 21 May 1951, he was piloting a L-17 observation aircraft. It crashed shortly after takeoff from Jade airstrip, near Chechon, South Korea killing him.

For his leadership and valor, Lieutenant Colonel Smith was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Ribbon, 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.