[1] Smoot later rose to the flag rank and held several important assignment including Command of Cruiser Division Three and Mine Force of the United States Pacific Fleet.

[2] Young Roland graduated from the high school in Salt Lake City, Utah, and received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in June 1919.

[9] In March 1941, Smoot was ordered to the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton, Washington, and assumed duty in connection with fitting out of destroyer Monssen.

[2][4] Following the United States entry into World War II, Smoot commanded her in Atlantic until February 1942, when Monssen was transferred to the Pacific Theater.

Smoot led his destroyer as the part of escort for aircraft carrier Hornet during the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo on April 18, 1942, and after brief stay at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, he embarked for Midway Atoll.

[2][3][4] During the Japanese assault on advanced base on Midway, Monssen took part in the defense actions on June 4–7, 1942 and returned to Pearl Harbor for rest and refit, which took over a month.

Smoot then sailed with Monnsen for the Japanese held Solomon Islands and provided cover during the Marine landings on Guadalcanal and Tulagi on August 7.

[2][3][4] The Monssen then took up duties patrolling the sea routes to Guadalcanal and Smoot distinguished himself again on October 1, 1942, when one of the cargo ships, Alhena was struck by Japanese torpedo and a fire broke out.

[11][4] He was subsequently ordered back to the Pacific theater and assumed command of Destroyer Squadron 14, operating off the Marshall Islands against bypassed Japanese-held positions until summer 1944.

One month later, Smoot's squadron covered underwater demolition and minesweeping operations as well as antiaircraft during the invasion on Okinawa and screened U.S. battleship during the shore bombardment.

[1][3][4] During July 1945, Smoot was promoted to the temporary rank of commodore and assumed duty as commander, Task Flotilla Four with cruiser San Diego as his flagship.

[4] After three years in that capacity, Smoot was transferred to Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, and assumed duty as chief of staff to the commander, Battleship Division One, Rear Admiral Heber H. McLean.

Upon the commissioning of the ship on January 29, 1949, he commanded her during the shakedown cruise to the Caribbean, visiting Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in June that year and then participated in the naval operations with the Atlantic Fleet.

Smoot then served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Administration under his classmate, now-Admiral Arleigh A. Burke and was promoted to vice admiral in July 1958.

During the conflict Smoot's ships provided escort for supply convoys destined for Kinmen and the Matsu Islands and he was decorated with the Order of the Sacred Tripod by Chiang Kai-shek.

[15][2][16][17] Smoot remained on Taiwan and was responsible for the defense of that country, training of the Republic of China Navy and also served as Senior U.S. Military Advisor to Chiang Kai-shek until May 1962, when he was relieved by vice admiral Charles L. Melson.