Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Young
Smith
August 13, 1925

–

January 19, 2016

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

William Smith graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1948. He flew combat missions in the Korean War earning a Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross, and returned to Combat in Vietnam. He retired in 1983 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    49th Fighter-Bomber Wing

    Action Date:

    February 2, 1952
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain William Young Smith, United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Element Leader of a flight of four (4) F-84 type aircraft, 49th Fighter Bomber Wing, in Korea in 1952. 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    49th Fighter-Bomber Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 2, 1952
    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 232 (May 15,1952)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain William Young Smith (AFSN: 17775A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations as Pilot of an F-84 Thunderjet Fighter Bomber and as Element Leader of a flight of four (4) F-84 type aircraft of 49th Fighter-Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action on an interdiction mission at Chongju, Korea, on 2 February 1952. As Captain Smith led his element on a dive bomb attack through intense anti-aircraft fire on an important rail line, a large anti-aircraft shell ripped through the fuselage of his aircraft, severing his right foot at the ankle. Despite shock and loss of blood, Captain Smith successfully completed his attack and made a wheels-up, deadstick landing behind enemy lines. Although intense pain from his injury made all movements extremely difficult, he crawled thirty yards to a boulder and evaded enemy troops for approximately one hour until he was rescued and returned to enemy territory. Captain Smith’s outstanding airmanship and coolness during this hazardous incident reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1975 – 1979
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General William Young Smith, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Assistant to the Chairman, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from 1975 to 1979. The distinctive accomplishments of General Smith reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1981 – 1983
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General William Young Smith, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Deputy Commander in Chief, European Command, from 1981 to 1983. The distinctive accomplishments of General Smith reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1968 – 1971
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General William Young 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 as Military AttachŽ, Secretary of the Air Force, from 1968 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.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1974 – 1975
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General William Young 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 Director, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, European Command, from 1974 to 1975. 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General William Young Smith, 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 Commanding Officer, 603d Wing, Germany, from 1967 to 1968. 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.