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Navy Federal Credit Union
Perry
Kenneth
Smith
December 7, 1902

–

January 9, 1974

Perry Smith graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1924. He retired as a U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    Marine Aircraft Group 25

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 1861 – 1955 (Jane Blakeney)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Perry K. Smith (MCSN: 0-3912), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group TWENTY-FIVE (MAG-25), in actions against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    Marine Aircraft Group 25

    Action Date:

    1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 320 (November 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel Perry Kenneth Smith (MCSN: 0-3912), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of Marine Aircraft Group TWENTY-FIVE (MAG-25) in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. Colonel Smith instituted flights to Guadalcanal in August 1942 when the airfield was under heavy siege, set up his own schools for the training of personnel, and evacuated casualties to base hospitals. Undeterred by darkness and tropical squalls, his vital air transport contributed materially to the defense of Guadalcanal.