Homer Smith entered military service in World War II and worked on the logistics planning for the Normandy Invasion, and then served again in the Korean War. During the closing days of the Vietnam War, as head of the Defense Attach Office, Saigon (DAO), making him the highest-ranking U.S. military official in South Vietnam. In this role Smith was a key figure in the last year of South Vietnam’s existence, finally overseeing Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American civilians and “at-risk” Vietnamese from Saigon in April 1975. He retired in 1979 as a U.S. Army Major General.
Sponsored by:
Homer
D.
Smith
February 16, 1922
–
March 2, 2011
Born:
Brekenridge
,
Texas
Home:
Breckenridge
,
Texas
Buried:
San Antonio
,
Texas
Cemetery:
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Awards Received
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Homer D. Smith, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States in 1972. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Smith and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major General Homer D. Smith, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Smith and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Homer D. Smith, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, culminating as Commander, U.S. Army Logistics Center, Fort Lee, Virginia, from June 1977 to July 1979. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Smith culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.