Wayne O. Smith

By zthanson, 9 December, 2022
First Name
Wayne
Middle Name
O.
Last Name
Smith
Birthdate
Hometown
Richmond, Kentucky
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a U.S. Air Force uniform.
PreCapture Description

Wayne Smith entered the U.S. Air Force Academy on June 26, 1961, and graduated with a commission as a Second Lieutenant on June 9, 1965. Lieutenant Smith next attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Moody AFB, Georgia, where he was awarded his pilot wings in September 1966. He served with the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida, from October 1966 to July 1967, when he deployed with his unit to Southeast Asia. He then flew with the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, and was forced to eject over North Vietnam while flying his 90th combat mission on January 18, 1968. On his last mission, Lieutenant Smith was credited with shooting down a MIG-17 in aerial combat before his aircraft was shot down. He was immediately captured and taken as a Prisoner of War.

Post Release Image
Older man speaking into a microphone.
Post Release Description

He was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. After recovering from his injuries at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, Captain Smith left active duty on September 4, 1973, served in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard for a year, and then left the reserves in 1976. In 1999 Wayne Smith retired from MidAmerica Energy as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Generation. Earlier, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of BF Goodrich Chemicals and prior to that he was Chief Executive of BOC Gases for the U.S., Canada, and South America. He began his business career with Air Products and Chemicals, where he was appointed to a number of executive assignments over a 16-year period. He was a pilot flying Boeing 727s for Eastern Airlines for a short time before becoming a corporate executive. Wayne is married to Lois A. Bolin, Ph.D., of Naples Florida. He has two children and two grandchildren, who also reside in Naples, Florida.

 

Post-Release Photograph: Nancy Taggert / The Richmond Register

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star (2)
  • Legion of Merit
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
  • Bronze Star (2)
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release