Smith Award for “excellence in naval aviation art” is awarded annually to a single artist at the National Naval Aviation Museum during its annual May symposium in Pensacola, Florida.

Smith contributed immeasurably to the preservation of the heritage and history of U.S. naval aviation through his 50-plus year career as an aeronautical engineer and as an accomplished artist.

More than a million of his lithographs of commercial and military aircraft have been printed.

Smith died at his home in Rancho Mirage, California on May 29, 2001 at the age of 87.

Smith was designated Honorary Naval Aviator Number 11 on May 8, 1973 by VADM William D. Houser, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare.