Victor Smith

Admiral Sir Victor Alfred Trumper Smith, AC, KBE, CB, DSC (9 May 1913 – 10 July 1998) was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy.

[1] In the New Years Honours of 1942, Smith was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for "out-standing zeal, patience and cheerfulness and for setting an example of wholeheartedness devotion to duty".

[5][6] After the sinking of the Ark Royal, Smith returned to Australia where he was appointed as liaison officer to the United States Navy heavy cruiser USS Chicago.

[6] He was next appointed Air Planning Officer on the staff of the Vice Admiral (Q), British Pacific Fleet, retaining this position until 1 October 1945.

[1] The Naval Board now decided to send Smith to the Admiralty in London, to obtain information that would assist in the planning and formation of a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) in the Royal Australian Navy.

"[7] Smith was appointed Executive Officer of HMAS Sydney in January 1950, and served on the ship during its six-month tour of duty in the Korean War between August 1951, and February 1952.

When Schofields was commissioned as HMAS Nirimba in April 1953, Smith was appointed Chief Staff Officer to the Captain (Air) Australia.

He left this position in July to become Director of Air Warfare Organisation and Training at Navy Office, Melbourne and was promoted to captain in the New Year.

In January 1957, Smith was appointed to command HMAS Albatross, the naval air station at Nowra, New South Wales.

Promoted to vice admiral in April 1968, Smith was appointed Chief of Naval Staff,[1] and in June was awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath.

[6] In mid 1975 he was awarded the newly established Companion of the Order of Australia,[12] before retiring in November; just short of forty-nine years naval service.

Smith was active in his retirement, serving in various posts such as President of the ACT/Queanbeyan Division of Birthright, an Australia-wide organisation which assists single parents with dependent children,[1] and as patron of the ACT Rugby League.