Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Foster
Lee
Smith
September 6, 1922

–

October 7, 2005

Born:

Durant

, 

Oklahoma

Home:

Durant

, 

Oklahoma

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Foster Smith graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1944. In the Korean War he was credited with shooting down 4.5 enemy MiG aircraft. He retired in 1975 as a U.S. Army Major General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Wing

    Action Date:

    Korean War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Foster Lee Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of an F-86 Fighter Airplane in the 4th Fighter Wing, in Korea. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Wing

    Action Date:

    Korean War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Foster Lee Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of an F-86 Fighter Airplane in the 4th Fighter Wing, in Korea. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    3d Tactical Fighter Wing

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1968

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Foster Lee Smith (AFSN: 0-15882A), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Vice Commander, 3d Tactical Fighter Wing, at Bien Hoa Air Base and subsequently as Deputy Director, Seventh Air Force Tactical Air Control Center, Tan Son Nhut Airfield, South Vietnam, from 1967 to 1968. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Smith and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 24, 1953
    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 402 (November 2, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Foster Lee Smith (AFSN: 0-15882A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter-Bomber of the 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, on 24 June 1953. On that date, Major Smith led an escort of F-86’s on a photo reconnaissance escort mission deep into enemy territory along the Yalu River. As the force approached the third target through a heavy flak barrage, six MiG’s attacked from above. Major Smith initiated a vicious counter attack on the lead MiG which was firing on an unarmed RF-80. Although under intense fire from the MiG’s behind him, Major Smith pressed the violent attack causing the MiG to break off. Further accurate bursts of fire caused the enemy aircraft to dive earthward flaming heavily. Major Smith then attacked another MiG in the enemy formation, and in the deadly fight which ensued, closed to 200 feet range and sent accurate bursts of fire into the MiG, which crashed and exploded. The courage and intrepidity demonstrated by Major Smith on this mission resulted in the destruction of two enemy MiG-15s and was instrumental in the successful completion of a mission vital to the war effort. Through his outstanding airmanship, courage and exemplary devotion to duty, Major Smith reflected the highest credit upon himself and the military service. Great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    3d Tactical Fighter Wing

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Foster Lee Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Vice Commander, 3d Tactical Fighter Wing and Deputy Director, 7th Air Force, in the Republic of Vietnam. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Wing

    Action Date:

    Korean War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Foster Lee Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of an F-86 Fighter Airplane in the 4th Fighter Wing, in Korea. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1974 – 1975
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Foster Lee Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, from 1974 to 1975. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Smith culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1971 – 1974
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Foster Lee Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as J-5, Plans and Policy Directorate, European Command, from 1971 to 1974. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Smith and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    1969 – 1971
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Foster Lee Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States in the Office of the J-3, Operations/J-5, Plans and Policy Directorate, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from 1969 to 1971. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Smith and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Airman’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    3d Tactical Fighter Wing

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Foster Lee Smith (AFSN: 0-15882A), United States Air Force, was awarded the Airman’s Medal for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving as Vice Commander, 3d Tactical Fighter Wing, at Bien Hoa Air Base and subsequently as Deputy Director, Seventh Air Force Tactical Air Control Center, Tan Son Nhut Airfield, South Vietnam, from 1967 to 1968.