Captain Marvin “Jack” Gilford Smith, Jr., 99, resident of Prattville, AL, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at his home. He was a veteran who served in the United States Navy for 38 years including during WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Smith received the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V”, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Medal of Honor, First Class, Republic of Vietnam.
Smith was born on April 13, 1923, to his parents, Marvin G. Smith, Sr. and Bobbie B. Smith, in Indianapolis, IN. He was reared in Kentucky and graduated from Livingston County High School at the age of 16. After living for awhile with his aunt in Indianapolis, he pleaded with his father to sign his papers for his joining the Navy. At 17 years of age in January 1941, he volunteered and entered the Navy as a “Minority Cruise” recruit for men ages 17-21, and he completed Naval boot camp in Great Lakes, IL. He then attended a technical school in Dearborn, MI, followed by service at Cape May, NJ, Travis City, MI, Eagle Mt., TX and Clinton, OK, working on guidance systems for pilotless aircraft.
After WWII ended, Smith was assigned to the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, Fl, where he served as the Crew Chief for admiral Frank Wagner, the head of Naval Aviation training. During the Cold War, he served on Naval cruisers and the battleship, the USS Missouri, in the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean Sea. His next tour of duty was at the Naval Air Station at Anacostia, D.C., which also involved his completion of two years of an engineering degree at George Washington University. Smith was accepted into officers training and was commissioned with the rank of Ensign in 1955. After completing three years of sea duty, he received his B.S. Degree in Naval Engineering from the Navy Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA.
Smith had a distinguished career as a Navy officer both on ship and shore. He served as the Communications Officer and the Operations Officer on the Allen M. Sumner (DD692), Executive Officer on the Vital (MSO-474), Executive Officer on the Valor (MSO-472), Operations Office on the USS Dahlgren (DLG-12) and Commanding Officer on the USS O’Callahan (DE-1051). He served two tours in Vietnam, graduated from the War College at Maxwell AFB, served with the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, served as commander of one of three teams each having 40 men with the Fleet Introduction Team Spruance Class destroyers in Pascagoula, MS, served as NROTC commander at the University of MS, for two years, retiring from military service in 1979. After retirement from military service, he worked as plant manager for the Polyquip Co. at St. Joseph, TN. His last employment of 20 years as Director of International Business Development for Von Gal Manufacturing Co. which made automatic material handling systems equipment at Montgomery, AL, retiring in 2000.
He was married to Joan Merriam Smith for three years; however, she did not survive the crash of an airplane that had a folded wing that she was piloting. Joan was a highly skilled aviatrix who completed the same route attempted by Amelia Earhardt. She was the first person to fly solo around the world at the equator, and a twin-engine plane around the world. In 1964, Joan was posthumously awarded the Harmon Trophy, one of three international trophies awarded to the world’s outstanding aviator, aviatrix and aeronaut. Her biography describing her piloting skills and records are recorded in the recently published book, Fate on a Folded Wing by Tiffany Brown.
Smith was married to Martha Ann Slade Smith on June 16, 1967, for over 52 years. They had one son, Kevin Gaines Smith of Memphis, TN.; one daughter, Karen Ann Smith (Gil) of Barcelona, Spain; four grandchildren, Dawn Powers of Washington, Dylan Slade Garcia and Anna Camille Garcia of Barcelona, Spain, and Gaines Gilford Smith of Memphis, TN. Smith is also survived his sister, Henrietta Dickerson of Wisconsin; a host of nieces and nephews in the US, and abroad. Smith was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Prattville, AL. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, from First United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm with Dr. Tony McCullough officiating. Burial will follow at Prattville Memorial Mausoleum with Prattville Memorial directing and the folding of his flag in honor of his military service. The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to First United Methodist Church or Habitat for Humanity, 431 W. 4th Street, Prattville, AL, 36067. Pallbearers will be Matt Lewis, Andy Southern, Tom Rischer, Gordon Hallmark, Trey Salatto and Ron Ramon. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dylan Garcia Smith, Gaines Gillford Smith, Pat Benton, Glenn Kanal, Don Carrol, Pete O’Day, Benny Jackson, Mike Hargis, Mark Hargis, Winfred Slade, Kent Slade, Brent Slade, Gaines Slade, Bowen Slade, Field Slade, Brad Smith, Todd Smith, Lester Ray Smith, Anthony Smith, David Allen Smith and Boyce Jonathan Smith.
From Vic Campbell
I was able to talk a few times with Jack the last month. We had a good conversation BEFORE it was discovered he had pancreatic cancer. Afterward, with the help of his daughter, Karen, I was able to speak with him briefly. He already knew but I confirmed his association with USS O'CALLAHAN left indelible positive life impressions on his officers and crew and that he was in our prayers. A second call only a couple of days before he passed, he could not respond but could understand - so I spoke some words to him of our admiration for his service to God, Family, Country and Community. I spoke to him a final "salute" from us all at "The Irish Song"...
