[5] In September, 1894 Smith enlisted in the United States Army as a private with the intention of qualifying for an officer's commission.

[4] Assigned to Company H, 6th Infantry Regiment,[4] Smith served at Fort Thomas, Kentucky and attained the rank of sergeant.

[6] He performed well on his 1896 competitive examination, and when he was nominated in 1897 for appointment as a second lieutenant, the members of his company demonstrated their esteem by presenting him with an officer's sword and the uniform insignia of his new rank.

[11] His posting included leading the effort to reestablish civil government in San Miguel, Bulacan.

[11] During his service in the Philippines, Smith was commended twice for heroism and was recommended for promotion to brevet captain.

[13] In 1904, Smith commanded Company L when an ad hoc battalion of 12th Infantry units deployed for service in the Philippines.

[14] After leaving the Philippines in 1906, Smith remained with the 12th Infantry, this time assigned to Fort Niagara, New York.

[21] He graduated in 1914 and performed temporary duty with the 12th Infantry at the Presidio of San Francisco before returning to the School of the Line to serve on the faculty.

[26] Smith left the Army for disability in May 1938, a few months before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64.

[39] In retirement, Smith was a resident of Washington, D.C.[26] He died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on November 27, 1939.

[26] When the Army created the Silver Star decoration in 1918, Smith's award was converted to the new medal.