Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Renwick
Smedberg
, III
September 28, 1902

–

October 5, 1994

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

William Smedberg graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1926. From 1956 to 1958 he served as the 39th Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. He retired as a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral

    Action Date:

    February 1960 – February 1964

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral William Renwick Smedberg, III (NSN: 0-60515), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service to the Government of the United States in duties of great responsibility as Chief of Naval Personnel and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Personnel and Naval Reserve) from February 1960 through February 1964. Exercising remarkable foresight and professional abilities of the highest caliber, Vice Admiral Smedberg has substantially raised the personnel readiness of the United States Navy. By his dynamic leadership and profound understanding of people, he has initiated and vigorously pursued new programs to improve the quality and standards of Navy personnel. The success of these programs has improved personnel retention thereby directly reducing high training costs to the Government and increasing the efficiency and stability of the United States Navy. Facing a critical period of manning a growing, complex, highly technical Navy, Vice Admiral Smedberg diligently and forcefully promoted Navy legislation and other actions to provide adequate compensation, benefits and equal opportunity for its personnel. A superb administrator, a true advocate of the individual, and a dedicated proponent of improved manpower utilization and productivity, he has made a major contribution in meeting the Navy’s objectives and accomplishment of its goals. His brilliant record of achievements and distinguished service reflect the highest credit upon the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain [then Commander]

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lansdowne (DD-486)

    Action Date:

    July 3, 1942
    Commander Destroyers Atlantic Fleet: Serial 0759 (May 12, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain [then Commander] William Renwick Smedberg, III (NSN: 0-60515), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States and his extraordinary achievement when on 3 July 1942, as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. LANSDOWNE (DD-486), he aggressively and in a most seaman like manner placed his ship into position and attacked with depth charges an enemy submarine. After the first pattern of depth charges exploded, oil and air bubbles in large quantities appeared on the surface of the water, and the movements of the submarine were such as to indicate it was not under control. This performance of duty in which the enemy submarine was probably destroyed reflected great credit upon the United States Naval Service. (Captain Smedberg is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Action Date:

    June 15 – August 10, 1944
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 04898 (September 25, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander William Renwick Smedberg, III (NSN: 0-60515), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff and Operations Officer to the Commander of a Task Force and the Commander of a Cruiser Division during offensive operations against the Japanese in the Mariana Islands operations from 15 June to 10 August 1944. His steadfast devotion to duty contributed materially to the damage inflicted upon the enemy during the initial landings and supporting bombardments as Saipan, Tinian and Guam Islands, and during the Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19 – 20 June 1944. His skillful performance of duty and resolute initiative were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Smedberg is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    U.S.S. Iowa

    Action Date:

    March 31 – July 29, 1952
    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 1870 (August 6, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain William Renwick Smedberg, III (NSN: 0-60515), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. IOWA and as Commander of numerous Task Elements of East Carrier Task Force SEVENTY-SEVEN during operations against the enemy in the Korea Area from 31 March to 29 July 1952. Discharging his heavy responsibilities with keen judgment and great vigor, Captain Smedberg directed the U.S.S. IOWA and Task Elements under his command on repeated gun strikes against enemy forces and installations in the bombline, Wonsan, Kojo, Songjin and Chongjin areas on the east coast of Korea and against enemy-held facilities on the west coast of Korea. Successfully maneuvering his several Task Elements through waters often mined and restricted, he controlled and directed the gunfire of his ships with consummate skill against enemy positions. By causing great damage to enemy troop concentrations, supply areas, communications arteries, gun positions and manufacturing centers, the U.S.S. IOWA aided materially in prohibiting the enemy from launching successful attacks against United Nations ground forces, seriously interfered with the delivery of essential supplies by the enemy and helped minimize the enemy’s industrial potential. Though taken under fire on several occasions, he maneuvered the IOWA and ships under his command in such a fashion that at not time did any of such ships sustain an hit from enemy batteries. By his outstanding professional skill and diligent devotion to duty, Captain Smedberg contributed greatly to the success of containing Communist forces within their battle lines. His inspiring leadership, daring initiative and outstanding achievement reflected the highest credit upon himself and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Smedberg is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain [then Commander]

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lansdowne (DD-486)

    Action Date:

    July 13, 1942
    Commander Destroyers Atlantic Fleet: Serial 0759 (May 12, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain [then Commander] William Renwick Smedberg, III (NSN: 0-60515), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. LANSDOWNE (DD-486) on 13 July 1942, when his ship made contact with an enemy submarine and attack was made with depth charges. The attack was accurate, oil and air bubbles in large quantities burst to the surface, and it was determined that the submarine was not under control. His actions on this occasion on which an enemy submarine was probably destroyed were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Smedberg is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lansdowne (DD-486)

    Action Date:

    November 7, 1942
    Commander South Pacific Force and Area: Serial 00409 (February 19, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander William Renwick Smedberg, III (NSN: 0-60515), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. LANSDOWNE (DD-486), in action with a Japanese midget submarine off Lunga Point, Guadalcanal, during the forenoon of 7 November 1942. At 0927 LOVE a submarine periscope was sighted on LANSDOWNE’s starboard quarter 800 yards (one lookout reported relative bearing 120 degrees, another 135 degrees); the LANSDOWNE’s captain worked engines and rudder to head for the submarine, gave orders to slip chain and cast off boats which were alongside for ammunition. Guns 2 and 3 were loaded and ready to fire. Neither gun could bear when the submarine was sighted because: (1) although trained to seaward, Gun 2 came up against the stops attempted to get on: (2) Gun 3 was trained on the opposite side and elevated for anti-aircraft fire in accordance with Division Doctrine. As Gun 3 was training around, to get on target, LANSDOWNE was turning and the Japanese dived. At 0929 LOVE one torpedo hit MAJABA at or near the waterline, starboard side, another torpedo passed close astern of LANSDOWNE. At 0931 LANSDOWNE having sound contact dropped two 600-pound charges on shallow settings. At 0932, having reached and calculated firing point on sound track, LANSDOWNE fired full pattern, settings 50 and 100 feet. This and two subsequent attacks on sound at 0942 and 0949 LOVE have been previously reported by the Commanding Officer of LANSDOWNE. About one hour after losing contact Commander Smedberg, while continuing search for the submarine, had the landing boats towed alongside and finished unloading his cargo of ammunition. He continued the search for the submarine until 1330 LOVE when directed to undertake the fire support mission specified by Commander Task Force SIXTY-TWO. WOODWORTH continued hunting. By immediately working his engines and rudder to head for the submarine, for the purpose of destroying it, Commander Smedberg saved his own ship. His personal coolness, intrepidity and gallantry, supported by his entire ship’s company, enabled him to attack with depth charges 4 – 5 minutes after the submarine was sighted, his ship at the time of the sighting having been at anchor unloading ammunition and headed 120 – 130 degrees away from the target. His conduct was an inspiration to his ship’s company, already well trained and eager for the business at hand. His ship successfully completed all tasks assigned, and was physically unharmed. He, his officers, and crew were better fighting men with the self satisfaction of having again demonstrated their fitness to cope with the enemy. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1944 – October 10, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain William Renwick Smedberg, III (NSN: 0-60515), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States on the Staff of the Commander in Chief, United States Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations, as the head of the Combat Intelligence Division from 12 October 1944 to 10 October 1945. Captain Smedberg, by the exercise of superior judgment and keen perception, was of inestimable service in the collection and evaluation of information which resulted in the prompt and continued acquisition of extremely reliable intelligence concerning the enemies of the United States. By his able and extremely thorough administration and comprehensive organization of the Intelligence Sections under his command, he perfected an already efficient unit of the Staff. His energy, initiative, perseverance and tact contributed in a large measure to the effective coordination of other intelligence agencies and to the successful prosecution of the war. His attention and devotion to duty inspired those serving under him and were in accord with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.