He received the Silver Star medal and the Distinguished Service Cross and Taegeuk Order of Military Merit for his actions in South Korea.

Born in Lambertville, New Jersey, Smith attended the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1939.

[1] Captain Smith was at Schofield Barracks, Oahu during the Pearl Harbor attack.

He led "Task Force Smith" at the Battle of Osan, for which he received the Distinguished Service Cross.

[3] He reached the rank of brigadier general and eventually retired in 1965.