Homer Leroy Smith
Captain, U.S. Navy

Homer Leroy Smith graduated from Tyler County High School in Middlebourne, WV, in 1943 and attended Bethany College, Bethany, WV, and the University of Notre Dame before his admission to the U.S. Naval Academy from which he graduated with the Class of 1949 and commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy.

Smith entered Flight School at NAS Pensacola, FL, in August 1950 and was designated as a Naval Aviator in August 1951. After additional training, he was assigned to VF-33, where he flew the F9F-6 Cougar from January 1952 to October 1954, when he transferred to NAS Akron, OH. In July 1956, then-LT Smith entered the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, CA, followed by service as an instructor with the Navy ROTC unit at the University of Southern California from June 1958 to July 1959. He then joined VA-125 in July 1959, followed by VA-155, flying the A-4D Skyhawk, from January 1960 to December 1961, when he joined the staff of Carrier Air Group 15 (CVG-15).

LCDR Smith next attended Naval War College at Newport, RI, from August 1962 to July 1963, followed by service as an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy from July 1963 to January 1965. He then joined VA-125 at NAS Lemoore, CA, in February 1965, before taking command of VA-212 later that year. CDR Smith began flying combat missions in Southeast Asia off the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) in December 1965, and finished his first tour in July 1966.

On 30 June 1966, then-Commander Homer Leroy Smith was serving as an A-4 Skyhawk Pilot and Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron Two Hundred Twelve (VA-212), embarked in U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) near the Republic of Vietnam.

On that date, CDR Smith was strike leader in an extremely hazardous and important strike against the Bac Giang petroleum storage area 20 miles northeast of Hanoi, North Vietnam, CDR Smith, through his outstanding airmanship and courageous determination, successfully led the strike group to the target area in adverse weather conditions across 75 miles of enemy territory. CDR Smith then expertly positioned the fighter-cover and flak-suppression elements and led the attack element through heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire in a devastating bombing attack that destroyed more than 80% of the target. By his inspiring leadership and courage in the face of extremely heavy enemy defenses, CDR Smith ensured the success of this important mission and it earned him the U.S. Navy's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

On 19 and 20 May 1967, CDR Smith was leading aerial attacks on 2 strategically important and heavily-defended thermal power plants in Hanoi and Bac Giang, North Vietnam. As strike leader in each of these actions against the enemy, CDR Smith was faced with adverse weather and difficult terrain, formidable opposition from the enemy, and the necessity for violent, evasive maneuvering. Despite these obstacles, CDR Smith expertly led his strike groups in executing brilliantly successful attacks that subsequently hindered the enemy in his efforts to make war. CDR Smith's courage and superb airmanship on those days earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Navy's second highest award for valor, the Navy Cross.

CDR Smith's A-4 Skyhawk was shot down by ground fire on 20 May 1967 while leading a strike group in an A-4 over North Vietnam. It was his 200th combat mission. He was observed to eject successfully and was captured immediately upon reaching the ground. CDR Smith began his 2nd combat tour in Vietnam in February 1967, having completed over 129 combat missions during his 1st tour from December 1965 until July 1966.

It is believed that CDR Smith was tortured to death by his North Vietnamese captors on 21 May 1967. His remains were returned to the United States on 13 March 1974.

Medals and Awards

Navy Cross
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Merit with Valor Device
Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Gold Stars
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Air Medal with Bronze Numeral 17
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor Device and 2 Gold Stars
Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
Prisoner of War Medal
American Campaign Medal
European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Navy Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Medal with Bronze Star
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Naval Aviator Badge
Navy Command at Sea Pin

Navy Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Captain [then Commander] Homer Leroy Smith, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 19 and 20 May 1967, while serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VA-212), embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31), during aerial attacks on two strategically important and heavily defended thermal power plants in Hanoi and Bac Giang, North Vietnam. As strike leader in each of these actions against the enemy, Captain Smith was faced with adverse weather and difficult terrain, formidable opposition from the enemy, and the necessity for violent, evasive maneuvering. Despite these obstacles, he expertly led his strike groups in executing brilliantly successful attacks which subsequently hindered the enemy in his efforts to make war. By his heroic actions, superb airmanship, and inspiring devotion to duty throughout, Captain Smith reflected great credit upon himself and his squadron, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain [then Commander] Homer Leroy Smith, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 30 June 1966, while serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VA-212), embarked in the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CVA-19), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. As strike leader in an extremely hazardous and important strike against the Bac Giang petroleum storage area twenty miles northeast of Hanoi, North Vietnam, Captain Smith, through his outstanding airmanship and courageous determination, successfully led the strike group to the target area in adverse weather conditions across seventy-five miles of enemy territory. He then expertly positioned the fighter-cover and flak-suppression elements and led the attack element through heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire in a devastating bombing attack which destroyed more than 80% of the target. By his inspiring leadership and courage in the face of extremely heavy enemy defenses, Captain Smith ensured the success of this important mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Honors

The name Homer L Smith is located on Panel 20E Line 68 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Captain Homer Leroy Smith is buried at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, MD.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11680510/homer-leroy-smith